La fanciulla del West

Set in the American Wild West during the Californian gold rush, Puccini’s The Girl of the Golden West (La fanciulla del West) follows the lives of saloon-bar owner Minnie and a community of miners who struggle to cope with the harsh realities of survival in a bleak environment. This is a place where people have put their lives on hold as they place all their hopes on a better future.

The Girl of the Golden West contains all of the lyrical beauty, soaring melodies and ambitious orchestration for which the Puccini is renowned. Following on from his recent ENO successes (Rodelinda, Julietta, The Tales of Hoffmann), Richard Jones collaborates with designers Miriam Buether and Nick Gillibrand to direct ENO’s first production of Puccini’s ‘American’ opera in 50 years.

Internationally acclaimed soprano Susan Bullock, celebrated for her Wagner, Strauss and Puccini roles, returns to ENO to sing Minnie, alongside baritone Craig Colclough and tenor Peter Auty. Already well-established throughout Europe, including engagements at the Torre del Lace Puccini Festival, conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson makes her UK operatic debut.

The Girl of the Golden West is sung and surtitled in English | Running time: 2hrs 35mins

Pre-performance talk: 15 Oct, 5.15 – 6pm, £5/£2.50 concs

Co-production with Santa Fe Opera