Puccini

What, the guy who did the awesomest operas doesn't yet have his own thread? Sacrilege!

Anyway, I'm a massive fan of his, he's one of my favorite composers of all time, and this thread is for discussion of him and his music. My opinion is: HE ROCKS! I mean, six of his operas are some of my favorites of all time!

And why is it musicologists seem to hate him?

To be honest I don't know Puccini very well, all I know is that Pavarotti's trademark piece was a tenor aria from his opera Turn(?) (can't even spell the opera), the one about a cute princess who's a totale bitch.

Anyway I would like to be acquainted with his works, do you have any suggestions on what I should start with? Are there recordings of his overtures and excerpts like those of Wagner's? Or has he written anything other than operas that are easier to digest?

Turandot is plenty easy to digest.
I would suggest that you find a DVD of Turandot at a library (they have it at mine) or, if you have deep pockets, buying it. After watching Turandot, you will probably pursue his other stuff.

Yes, Puccini rocks socks.

Originally Posted by M_is_D

And why is it musicologists seem to hate him?

I don't know, but the musicological essays I've read on Puccini all seem to hold him in the highest regard.

Remember, a musicologist whose speciality is Boulez, will probably have a penchant for music in that style as well. Much of musicology remains, still, a matter of opinion. Learned opinion, but opinion none the less. Why else would there be vicious duels between opposing musicological camps on certain issues?

I love Puccini. His operas are just incredible. He, in my opinion does the best job of bringing the emotion of the story out in the music. I can't tell you how many times I've cried during a Puccini opera. He's the best. I could go on, but I better not.

Originally Posted by M_is_D

And why is it musicologists seem to hate him?

Because musicologists are jealous of anyone who can actually write or play a piece of music, since they lack this ability, otherwise they wouldn't be musicologists.


Yeah, I went there. Same goes for theorists.

Hahaha, Puccini. One of the reasons I hated opera, really. Until Janacek~

Edit: LOL, wait. I meant ROSSINI. Puccini has some OK things, I admit. La Boheme for example. Though if I hear "O Mio Babbino Caro" again...!

And, hahaha oh wow. Musicologists what? I know a lot of composers who are also musicologists. I mean, uh, it's not that uncommon.

Nevermind that composers are fundamentally theorists if you're going to call them something, after writing music is the most theoretical thing ever even if you can get instant playback, most of the stuff you want to hear isn't immediate and must be therefore had in theory!

Originally Posted by SSC

Puccini has some OK things, I admit. La Boheme for example. Though if I hear "O Mio Babbino Caro" again...!

inadvertant error?
O Mio Babbino isn't from Boheme, of course.
I see the sentence could be read a couple of ways.. so...

I'm rather partial to Turandot, with its heavy use of polytonality and non-functional harmony passages.

Though I already expressed my opinion,

Turandot be poppin'
Turandot be cool
All the boys be jockin'
They watch it after school!

Turrrr-an-dottttttt, be POPPIN'!
Be poppin'?
Be poppin'!
Be poppin'?
Be poppin'!

(Drum solo)

Originally Posted by Dan Gilbert

Though I already expressed my opinion,

Turandot be poppin'
Turandot be cool
All the boys be jockin'
They watch it after school!

Turrrr-an-dottttttt, be POPPIN'!
Be poppin'?
Be poppin'!
Be poppin'?
Be poppin'!

(Drum solo)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

THAT WAS GENIOUS!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT