Giacomo Puccini - Orchestral Works (John Wilson)

Information

Composer: Giacomo Puccini

1. Preludio sinfonico, SC 32
2. Capriccio sinfonico, SC 55
3. Preludio to ‘Le villi’, SC 60
4. La tregenda from Act II of ‘Le villi’, SC 60
5. Scherzo, SC 34 and Trio, SC 52
6. Adagetto, SC 51
7. Preludio to Act II of ‘Manon Lescaut’, SC 64
8. Intermezzo before Act III of ‘Manon Lescaut’, SC 64
9. Crisantemi, SC 65
10. Tre minuetti, SC 61: I. Minuetto n. 1. A S.A.R. Vittoria Augusta di Borbone Principessa di Capua
11. Tre minuetti, SC 61: II. Minuetto n. 2. All’esimio violinista prof. Augusto Michelangeli
12. Tre minuetti, SC 61: III. Minuetto n. 3. All’amico maestro Carlo Carignani
13. Preludio to Act I of ‘Edgar’, SC 62
14. Preludio to Act III of ‘Edgar’, SC 62

Sinfonia of London

John Wilson, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Chandos

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This recording explores the early orchestral works of Giacomo Puccini, offering insight into the composer’s development before the success of Manon Lescaut. Conducted by John Wilson with the Sinfonia of London, the program traces Puccini’s formative years at the Milan Conservatory, where he studied with Amilcare Ponchielli between 1880 and 1883. It includes student compositions such as Preludio sinfonico, Scherzo, Trio, and Adagietto, and Capriccio sinfonico, the latter foreshadowing the opening of La bohème. The recording also highlights music connected to his early operas, including Le villi, written for a Sonzogno competition, and material later reused in Manon Lescaut. It concludes with extracts from Edgar, an ambitious but less successful early opera.

John Wilson (b. 1972, Gateshead) is a renowned conductor and Fellow of the Royal College of Music. He regularly guest conducts leading orchestras worldwide, including the London Symphony, Concertgebouw, Oslo Philharmonic, and Sydney Symphony, as well as productions at English National Opera and Glyndebourne. In 2018 he relaunched Sinfonia of London, achieving award-winning recordings praised for their range and artistry, and made a triumphant BBC Proms debut in 2021. His acclaimed discography includes Respighi’s Roman Trilogy and Dutilleux’s early works, both BBC Music Magazine Award winners. Honored with the ISM Distinguished Musician Award in 2019, he also holds the Henry Wood Chair of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz