Puccini: Heroines
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PENTATONEA TOUR DE FORCE OF VOICE AND DRAMA: RADVANOVSKY BRINGS PUCCINI VIVIDLY TO LIFE
Sondra Radvanovsky, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Enrique Mazzola present Puccini: Heroines, a live recording of an all-Puccini program performed in February 2025. Radvanovsky’s extraordinary voice brings vivid individuality to each heroine, from the tender lyricism of Anna and Mimì to the dramatic intensity of Tosca and Turandot, including roles not previously in her stage repertoire. With Mazzola and the Lyric Opera Orchestra, she captures Puccini’s genius for combining concise, emotionally charged arias with profound character insight.
From the grace of Le Villi to the passion of Manon Lescaut, the intimacy of La Bohème, and the virtuosic drama of Turandot, Radvanovsky’s artistry illuminates every phrase. Encores include Musetta (La Bohème) and Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), highlighting both theatrical flair and heartfelt nuance. Sondra Radvanovsky and Lyric Opera of Chicago previously appeared on PENTATONE with The Three Queens (2022), while Enrique Mazzola conducted the 2019 PENTATONE release of Verdi and Donizetti with Michael Fabiano.
Sondra Radvanovsky sang Turandot for Sir Antonio Pappano's recording in 2023, with Mark Pullinger writing: 'Radvanovsky’s soprano has serious ‘blade’ and her Turandot is truly imperious; her ‘Straniero, ascolta!’, as she sets the first of her riddles, raised the hairs on the back of my neck. She unleashes the final duet with massive power, but where the score calls for pianissimo moments they are essayed tenderly.' For 'Heroines' – a live recording made in February 2025 – Radvanovsky explores music from several of Puccini's operas, including Turandot, Tosca, La rondine, La bohème, and more.
Gramophone
