Love, and What Comes After

Giacomo Puccini’s La Rondine has enjoyed an unexpected revival in recent years, thanks in no small part to husband-and-wife opera stars Roberto Alagno and Angela Gheorghiu (pictured) and their shared love for the piece. The tale of Magda, a wealthy Parisian sophisticate who abandons her status in pursuit of true love with the naïve Ruggero features Puccini’s famous melodic touches as well as modern musical colors and tones. There are no cardboard villains plotting revenge or supernatural elements, just realistic portrayals of people making foolish decisions in moments of passion, only to find unhappiness and boredom in the aftermath. The Metropolitan Opera presents an HD simulcast of La Rondine starring Gheorghiu and Alagno as the lovers at noon today in the auditorium of the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park (314-721-0072 or www.slam.org). Tickets are $15 to $22.
Sat., Jan. 10, 2009