1/5. Lucca. Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca in 1858 into an illustrious musical family. He represented the fifth generation of a dynasty who had all succeeded to the post of organist and composer at the Cathedral of San Martino. However, his early compositions show that his interests were going to lie in the theatre rather than the church. With Donald Macleod.
0 Soave Fanciulla (La Bohème, Act 1)
Roberto Alagna (tenor), Angela Gheorghiu (soprano), Royal Opera House Orchestra, conductor Richard Armstrong
Gloria (Messa di Gloria ) Jose Carreras (tenor), Hermann Prey (baritone), Ambrosian Singers, Philharmonia, conductor Claudio Scimone
Le Villi, Act 1 (excerpt) Nana Gordaze (soprano), Jose Cura (tenor), Italian International Orchestra, conductor Bruno Aprea
Capriccio Sinfonico Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, conductor Riccardo Chailly
Producer Johannah Smith Repeated on Sunday at 12 midnight