When we think of Giacomo Puccini, we think of the soaring arias of Tosca, La Bohème, and Madama Butterfly. But there is so much more to his music.

In this episode of Lives in Song, host Flora Willson is joined in the studio by world-renowned conductor and Opera Rara Artistic Director, Carlo Rizzi. Together, they explore the genius of Puccini’s orchestration, from the ‘simple’ melodies that hide complex harmonies to the massive percussion sections of Turandot.

Maestro Rizzi shares personal stories from his life in music – including witnessing the displeasure of the famously vocal audience at La Scala as a teenager. And he reveals why he decided to create his new Symphonic Suites album, presenting Puccini’s work purely through the orchestra.

Plus, we get an exclusive insight into Opera Rara’s latest project: recording the 1921 version of La Rondine, fulfilling Puccini’s final wish for the opera more than a century after it was completed.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why Puccini is often misunderstood as a simplistic composer.
• The technical secrets behind conducting Puccini’s famous rubato.
• Carlo Rizzi’s firsthand account of the 1976 Turandot scandal at La Scala.
• How Rizzi transformed Tosca and Butterfly into symphonic works.
• Why Opera Rara is recording the unperformed 1921 version of La Rondine.