The Puccini Problem or did he Create Modern Opera?
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- The Puccini Problem or did he Create Modern Opera?
Puccini died a hundred years ago, but is still sneered at by some critics, despite overwhelming commercial success
The "Puccini Problem" refers to a phenomenon in opera production where the works of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, particularly his popular operas like "La Bohème," "Tosca," and "Madama Butterfly," are staged too frequently and can dominate opera seasons to the detriment of lesser-known works. This over-reliance on Puccini's operas can limit the variety of repertoire offered by opera companies and prevent audiences from experiencing a broader range of musical styles and storytelling. Or so they say...
The term is sometimes used in discussions within the opera community to highlight the challenges of programming and maintaining a balance between presenting audience favorites and introducing lesser-known works or works from diverse composers. Some critics argue that while Puccini's operas are undeniably popular and financially successful, they shouldn't overshadow the richness and diversity of the operatic repertoire as a whole. Make up your own mind...
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Joseph Kerman was my professor at UC Berkeley and "Opera as Drama" was our textbook. He showed his human side by playing Puccini and Handel on the piano in class and clearly enjoyed it.
Interesting
It's very easy to say something like that about any musician or composer. It really does not matter. I can listen to Un Bel Di, Vedremo , Di Questa Regia, Que Gelida Manina, E lucevan le Stelle.., Firenze e come un albero fiorito, Nessum Dorma, Il bel sogno di Doretta, O mio babbino caro, Recondita armonia, Visi d'arte, Vecchia zimarra senti, Donna non vidi mai, Mi chiamano Mimi, etc. and it does not matter what anybody says about Puccini. I know.
I have a Puccini critic problem. Great music is simple, reduced to its clear and powerful essence. Puccini was the master of that. Complexity is not equal to "good' much less "excellent." Music is fundamentally an emotional expression and art, the cerebral misses the point, or rather its proper medium, which is math and science, not art. If a composition does not appeal to the emotions it's not music, it's noise. As far as the intellect is concerned AI will out think all of us. But AI will never be art, only a soulless imitation of art.
All I would reiterate, is it is also ok if Puccini does not work for you. Art is subjective, but a criticism of 'too simple' or 'too popular' is a cop out
You don’t become as famous and influential as Puccini without talent. He's not for everyone, but he shouldn’t be dismissed.