La Rondine | Opera Holland Park, London, 2017
Puccini’s La Rondine (The Swallow) opened Opera Holland Park‘s 2017 season (June 1-23) in a new production celebrating the opera’s centenary. Directed by Martin Lloyd-Evans with designs by takis, the production starred Elizabeth Llewellyn as Magda, the Parisian courtesan who sacrifices true love for financial security, alongside Matteo Lippi as her young lover Ruggero.
Conducted by Matthew Kofi Waldren with the City of London Sinfonia, the production featured takis’ design including a striking pool structure on a raised platform flanked by arched gold frames, creating the elegant Parisian world where Magda navigates between material comfort and romantic fulfillment.
Critics praised Llewellyn’s “fabulous Puccini soprano” with its “velvety middle of complex depth.” La Rondine premiered in 1917 and remains one of Puccini’s lesser-known works, often called his “enemy opera” due to wartime Austrian commission. This production demonstrated the score’s melodic richness and emotional sophistication.
Creative Team: Director: Martin Lloyd-Evans | Designer: takis | Conductor: Matthew Kofi Waldren | Composer: Giacomo Puccini