Girl of the Golden West

An opera that raises the stakes

Puccini was famed for setting his operas in contemporary settings, as with Madame Butterfly; probably less well-known is his foray into the Wild West of America, during the time of the frontiersman. This three-act opera is in fact based upon David Belasco's acclaimed play of the same name in 1905; it wasn't until 1910 that the operatic adaptation was staged for the first time. Follow the exploits of gun-toting Sunday school teacher Minnie as she negotiates her way through countless marriage proposals and finds love in a most unexpected place!

When a mysterious man arrives in the saloon, her main suitor Rance is suspicious and jealous of this stranger; however it appears that Minnie knows him from the road. What becomes apparent however is that this romantic newcomer has more than a few secret of his own; including his true identity! Throw in a high-stakes poker game and bar-fights aplenty, you may as well be transported back to the Wild West....