72° Puccini Festival - Season 2026

‘TURANDOT’ is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, composed between 1920 and 1924. It is Puccini’s last opera and, unfortunately, remained unfinished at his death. The music is characterised by powerful melodies and an innovative use of the orchestra, which contribute to an exotic and dramatic atmosphere.

Synopsis:
The opera is set in legendary Beijing and revolves around the figure of Turandot, a cold and ruthless princess who has sworn never to marry. To ward off suitors, Turandot has instituted a deadly game: those who wish to marry her must answer three riddles correctly. If he fails, he is condemned to death.

The protagonist, Calaf, an unknown prince, falls madly in love with Turandot and decides to take up the challenge. Despite adversity and fear, he manages to solve the riddles, but Turandot is still reluctant to give in to his love. Calaf, to prove his love, offers her a chance: if she finds out his name by dawn, she can kill him.

The story unfolds through emotional tensions and conflicts, exploring themes of love, sacrifice and redemption. In the end, Turandot discovers the true meaning of love and, faced with Calaf’s determination, opens up to him, leading to a finale that celebrates the victory of love over coldness and pride.
‘Turandot’ is famous for its aria “Nessun dorma”, sung by Calaf, which has become a symbol of the opera itself and of the power of Puccini’s music.


“TOSCA” is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, first performed in 1900.
It is one of the most famous operas in the opera repertoire and is distinguished by its intense drama and beautiful melodies.
Set in Rome in 1800, during the Napoleonic Wars, the opera explores themes of love, politics and sacrifice.

Synopsis:
Act I: The opera opens in the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle, where the painter Mario Cavaradossi is working on a fresco. He meets Floria Tosca, his lover, and the two exchange sweet words of love. However, Baron Scarpia, the police chief, is in love with Tosca and plots to separate her from Mario. Scarpia discovers that Mario is hiding a political prisoner, Cesare Angelotti, and decides to use Tosca to capture him.

Act II: In his house, Scarpia interrogates Mario and tries to extort information from him about Angelotti. Tosca arrives and, having discovered Scarpia’s plan, finds herself in a desperate situation. Scarpia offers Tosca Mario’s freedom in exchange for his submission. In the end, Tosca, in a moment of determination, kills Scarpia to save her beloved.

Act III: Mario has been captured and condemned to death. Tosca, having obtained a safe-conduct from Scarpia, runs to him to warn him. However, she discovers that Mario’s escape plan was only a deception and that he has been shot. Desperate, Tosca commits suicide by throwing herself off the Castel Sant’Angelo.
‘Tosca’ is an opera that combines passion, intrigue and tragedy, with music that manages to convey the deepest emotions of the characters. It is an intense and enthralling experience that continues to captivate audiences around the world.


‘LA BOHÈME’ is an opera in four acts by Giacomo Puccini, first performed in 1896. It is one of the best-loved operas in the opera repertoire and tells a story of love, youth and sadness set in 19th century Paris.
The opera is based on the novel ‘Scènes de la vie de bohème’ by Henri Murger and offers a romantic and nostalgic look at the lives of a group of bohemian artists. Puccini’s music is intense and involving, capable of conveying the emotions of the characters in a deep and touching way.

Synopsis:
The story follows the lives of a group of young artists: the poet Rodolfo, the painter Marcello, the musician Schaunard and the philosopher Colline. They live in a modest flat in Paris, struggling with poverty but full of dreams and hopes.

In the first act, Rodolfo meets Mimì, a young seamstress, and the two fall in love. Their love story is sweet and passionate, but it is also marked by fragility, as Mimì suffers from an illness that will bring her to a tragic end.

In the following acts, we see their love grow and face life’s difficulties. Marcello has a tumultuous relationship with Musetta, another young woman in the group, who brings some liveliness and drama to the story. Bohemian life is characterised by moments of joy and celebration, but also by sadness and loss.

The opera culminates in a heartbreaking finale, where Mimì’s illness worsens and Rodolfo must face the reality of his loss.
The beauty of Puccini’s music accompanies these moments, making “La Bohème” an unforgettable emotional experience.


‘MADAMA BUTTERFLY’ is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, first performed in 1904. It is one of the most famous operas in the opera repertoire and is characterised by its intense emotionality and beautiful melodies.

Introduction:
The opera is set at the beginning of the 20th century in Nagasaki, Japan, and deals with themes of love, sacrifice and cultural conflict. The story revolves around Cio-Cio-San, a young geisha, and the American lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton, who marries her in an arranged marriage, but with no intention of taking the bond seriously.

Synopsis:
In the first act, Pinkerton arrives in Nagasaki and marries Cio-Cio-San, promising to return after a short time. Cio-Cio-San, in love and trusting, abandons her former life and devotes herself completely to Pinkerton. However, the lieutenant considers the marriage only a game and does not care about the consequences.

In the second act, Cio-Cio-San anxiously awaits the return of Pinkerton, who has meanwhile returned to America. The young woman is convinced that his love is sincere and that he will return to her. Her faith is tested when she discovers that Pinkerton has married another woman, but she continues to hope.

In the third act, Pinkerton finally returns to Nagasaki, but not to be reunited with Cio-Cio-San. He discovers that she has had a child by him and has been living in anticipation of his return. The situation culminates in a tragic moment in which Cio-Cio-San, overwhelmed by grief and disappointment, makes a dramatic decision.

‘Madama Butterfly’ is an opera that deeply touches the heart, thanks to its sublime music and heart-rending story.


LA fANCIULLA DEL WEST is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini. It was first performed to great acclaim at the Metropolitan Theatre in New York on 10 December 1910. The opera is inspired by David Belasco’s play The Girl of the Golden West. Puccini’s music is modern, detailed and emphatic, thanks in part to the use of the wind machine, which was cutting-edge at the time and produced raw, powerful sounds.

Synopsis:
Act I: California, 1850. Minnie is a lively and energetic girl who runs the Polka, a tavern frequented by miners working nearby: everyone is in love with her and frequents the tavern to drink and play cards. Even Sheriff Jack Rance loves her and declares his love, but the girl does not reciprocate. A stranger arrives, Dick Johnson, whom Minnie realises she has met before; the two fall in love. Meanwhile, the miners leave and go in search of a gang of criminals led by Ramerrez, while Minnie and Dick remain alone, declaring their love for each other.

Act II: The miners and the sheriff warn Minnie that the stranger is actually the bandit Ramerrez, who has come to the saloon to steal the miners’ gold. Outraged, Minnie kicks Dick Johnson out, and he is shot by the sheriff. Minnie, moved to pity and at the same time in love, hides him in her cabin, but he is found by Jack Rance. The girl proposes a deal to the sheriff: a game of poker; if he wins, he will have both her and the bandit. Minnie cheats, so her man is saved.

Act III: Dick Johnson is determined to abandon his life as an outlaw and tries to cover his tracks, but unfortunately the miners find him and prepare to hang him. Minnie tries to persuade the miners to spare the life of her beloved, who is ready to die, by recalling the moments they shared in the tavern. The miners are moved and release him, so the two lovers leave to start a new life together.

Place

Torre del Lago, de la maison Festival Puccini, se trouve entre le lac de Massaciuccoli et la mer Tyrrhénienne, à 4 km des plages de Viareggio sur la côte toscane, à 18 km de Lucques et Pise par beaucoup. Chaque année, le Festival accueille 40.000 spectateurs dans le théâtre de plein air, une courte marche de la Villa mausolée où le Maestro Giacomo Puccini a vécu et travaillé et où maintenant, dans une petite chambre transformée en chapelle, ses restes sont conservés.