Composer Giacomo Puccini discovered the subject for his American commission while visiting New York City in 1907. During his stay, he saw David Belasco's play, The Girl of the Golden West, and according to stories, was so inspired that by the time he returned to Italy, he and the playwright had already reached an agreement.
"More daring … and bigger," Puccini later wrote to his publisher regarding the opera, which premiered at New York's Metropolitan Opera House in 1910. Although critics were generally unimpressed, the opera was well-received by the public.
Like other Puccini operas, the storyline of The Girl of the Golden West focuses on the plight of a strong female protagonist. In this case, it's a lively saloon owner and schoolmarm who falls in love with a Mexican bandit on the run. Of course, the territory's corrupt sheriff is eager to execute the fugitive and take Minnie as his wife, forcing her into a winner-takes-all gamble to save both herself and her man from a foreboding future.
As part of its 2005-06 Homes by Helen Opera Series, Opera Tampa performs The Girl of the Golden West this weekend with a full orchestra conducted by Anton Coppola (sung in Italian with English lyrics projected above the stage).
The Opera Tampa League also hosts its annual fundraising event at the opening night celebration Fri., March 31, at 6:30 p.m. This upscale gala is open to the public and includes a pre-performance cocktail buffet and a post-performance dessert and cordial reception with opera principals and Maestro Coppola. Proceeds support opera growth in the Tampa Bay area ($100; does not include tickets to the show).
The Girl of the Golden West, 8 p.m. Fri., March 31 and 2 p.m. Sun., April 2, Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, downtown Tampa, $29.50-$85, 813-229-7827, www.tbpac.org.
This article appears in Mar 29 – Apr 4, 2006.