“Puccini’s Leading Ladies with Ermonela Jaho”

In a Lives in Song first, Flora welcomes to the studio internationally acclaimed soprano and Opera Rara’s Artist Ambassador Ermonela Jaho—renowned for her deeply emotive Puccini portrayals—for a conversation that bridges performance and interpretation. Together, they delve into the nuanced art of embodying Puccini’s heroines, the emotional and technical demands of his music, and Jaho’s enduring connection to a composer whose work continues to resonate on the world’s leading opera stages.

Described by The Telegraph as possessing “an emotional intensity that verges on the hypnotic,” Jaho is internationally renowned for the vulnerability and power that she brings to roles such as Madama Butterfly and Suor Angelica. As The Guardian observed in 2017, “Jaho’s Cio-Cio-San is emotionally raw, vocally luminous, and devastating in its sincerity.” Who better to provide unique insights into the experience and challenges of breathing life into Puccini’s heroines in the 21st century?

Lives in Song: Puccini focuses on one of the most influential opera composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Hosted by music historian and writer Flora Willson, the series explores Puccini’s artistic development, historical context, and enduring impact through the lens of his operas.

Across this season, Flora is joined by a range of expert guests to examine the world that shaped Puccini—from his roots in Lucca to his emergence as a key figure in Italian opera. The second season of Lives in Song investigates the personal and cultural forces that informed Puccini’s compositions, offering listeners a deeper understanding of his music and the man behind his enduring works.

Streamed live on Opera Rara’s YouTube channel. Register to receive email ​reminders and a link to the show notes following the stream.