Review of Puccini: La Fanciulla del West (Maazel)

Introduction

• Act I: The Bar of the Polka (1:03:25)
It`s California during the 1850s gold rush and a group of miners and Jack Rance, the sheriff, are playing cards and drinking in the Polka Tavern. Ashby, the Wells Fargo agent, arrives and tells Rance that he is hot on the heels of the bandit Ramerrez (Placido Domingo). Rance and most of the miners are in love with Minnie, the tavern`s owner, but it`s not good when Rance and Sonora start fighting over her. When she arrives she breaks up the quarrel between them, accepts small gifts and takes her customary Bible-reading class.

In a note from Nina Micheltorena, a local good-time girl, Ashby learns that Ramirez is to meet her at midnight. Nick, the bartender, announces the arrival of a stranger. Jack Rance proposes to Minnie, promising he will never see his wife again if she consents, but she refuses him. The stranger comes in, giving his name as Dick Johnson. He and Minnie recognise each other from a previous brief meeting. Despite Rance`s jealousy, Minnie and Johnson dance together. Rance is angry and tries to turn the others against Johnson.

Castro, one of the Ramirez crew, is captured and brought in. He pretends to betray his leader to Sheriff Rance and off everyone goes in pursuit of Ramerrez. This leaves Johnson alone with Minnie. They feel love awaking between them and arrange to meet again in her cabin.


• Act II: Minnie`s cabin later that night (47:10)
Minnie offers Johnson supper. Later they kiss, but suddenly Johnson draws back and prepares to leave. A blizzard prevents his departure and he declares his love, which Minnie reciprocates. Minnie gives him her bed and she settles herself by the hearth. Johnson denies knowing Nina Micheltorena when Minnie questions him.

The miners have learnt that Johnson is Ramerrez and that he has been seen going in the direction of the cabin. Several of them, with Rance, Ashby and Nick, come to see if Minnie is safe. Although horrified to learn that Nina has been Johnson`s mistress, Minnie does not reveal his presence. Nick finds a cigar but says nothing. When they have gone, she turns on Johnson. He tells her he only recently became a bandit, in order to support his mother and family and has resolved to lead a better life now he had met Minnie. Her fury is about Nina, not his life of crime, and she thrusts him out onto the snow where the waiting Rance shoots him. Minnie drags him back in and hides him in the loft. Rance comes back for Johnson, but Minnie again denies that he is there. Rance is about to leave when a drop of blood falls on his hand and he discovers the wounded Johnson. In desperation Minnie offers to play poker with Rance to try and save Johnson, and wins by cheating.


• Act III: A week later, high in the Sierra (47:10)
The miners have been helping Rance and Ashby search for Johnson. Rance regrets his bargain with Minnie, which he`s kept honourably, but gloats that she will suffer when her lover is hanged. Johnson is captured but Nick, telling Billy Jackrabbit not to hurry making the noose, slips away to warn Minnie.

Before the execution can take place Minnie arrives, threatening to shoot anyone who touches Johnson. She reminds the miners of all her acts of kindness to them. Despite Rance, they are gradually won over and agree to let the lovers go as long as they leave California forever. The miners sadly bid farewell to their Girl.


The DVD package comes with a 30-page libretto and synopsis.

Video

Presented with a 4:3 fullframe transfer, La Fanciulla del West looks good. It`s a region 0 NTSC DVD, so I was surprised by the quality when I discovered it wasn`t a PAL disc. Colours look well rendered and detail comes through well. Look closer however and you`ll notice the grain, which thankfully isn`t intrusive. I couldn`t spot any other discernible problems with the transfer.

Audio

There`s just one soundtrack, Dolby Digital 2.0 Italian and it sounds good. The sound is clear and dynamic without sounding flat and serves the opera well.

Features

None.

Conclusion

Opera is seen as something snobbish, which is a shame because if you enjoy stage musicals but don`t like opera, then I think you`re missing out. The only difference here is that it`s mainly in a foreign language, usually Italian, but this is where the subtitles help. It`s musical drama and Puccini`s stirring opera is populated with the kind of storylines you get in feature films, except that everything is sung rather than spoken. It`s not just for people who enjoy classical music!

The drama seems quite long, clocking in at 140-minutes, but the three separate acts make this an easier production to watch. The melodrama unfolds with a slow and steady pace, with the drama remaining with the actors` performances and the music. It`s something that kept my interest from start to finish, with breaks between the acts. I found this to be enjoyable.

The set design, costumes, singing and orchestrations here work well so if you`re in the mood to try out an opera, you could do worse than try this. I`m still a newbie when it comes to opera so Placido Domingo is the only person that I recognise in this musical. He sings very well, as do the rest of the cast. La Fanciulla del West is a good addition to anyone`s collection looking for some cultural diversity.