Radio 3

Ermonela Jaho stars as Magda in Puccini's bittersweet romance alongside Iván Ayón-Rivas as Ruggero with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers conducted by Carlo Rizzi. The composer described La rondine as 'a wonder', and here is a chance to hear for the first time a sparkling cast – in a fabulous new recording collaboration with Opera Rara – of the 1921 version of the work. Ruggero is young and wealthy, with his whole life before him. Magda is beautiful, worldly and wise – surely too wise to fall in love all over again? But amid the delights of belle-époque Paris, romance can be as intoxicating as champagne – and the heart, as they say, has its own reasons. In Puccini’s opera La rondine (The Swallow), will Magda fly home? Inspired by Viennese operetta, La rondine is a love story, set to some of the most romantic melodies that even Puccini ever wrote. But it’s also portrait of a world waltzing on the edge; a deeply moving study of innocence and (tender) experience. Presented by Flora Willson with guest Ditlev Rindom. Puccini: La Rondine (1921 Version) Magda ..... Ermonela Jaho Ruggero ..... Ivan Ayon-Rivas Rambaldo ..... Nicola Alaimo Lisette ..... Ellie Neate Prunier ..... Juan Francisco Gatell Yvette/Georgette/Fleury ..... Jessica Robinson Bianca/ Gabrriella/Mariette ..... Julieth Lonzano Rolong Suzy/Lolette/Rorò ..... Joanna Harries Gobin ..... Robert Lewis Périchaud ..... David Shipley Crébillon/Il maggiordomo ..... William Thomas BBC Singers (Chorus director: Martin Fitzpatrick) BBC Symphony Orchestra Carlo Rizzi (conductor) Recorded at BBC Maida Vale Studios November-December 2025 To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Opera on 3"