On Tour at the Edinburgh International Festival: Puccini’s Suor Angelica

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in Giacomo Puccini’s heartfelt opera.

The Programme

At the very centre of Puccini’s late one-act opera is a nun with a tragic secret. Set in 20th century Italy, Suor Angelica follows the story of Sister Angelica, whose search for peace is troubled by her past. The opera contains some of Puccini’s most intimate and atmospheric music, including Angelica’s haunting solo, ‘Senza mamma’.

As part of their International Festival residency, the LSO are joined by their Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, an unparalleled interpreter of Puccini’s music, bringing to the fore the drama and sorrow at the heart of this opera.

Puccini’s opera is complemented in the first half of the concert by his impassioned Preludio sinfonico written when he was a student, alongside conductor-composer Victor de Sabata’s colourful symphonic depiction of Juventus (‘Youth’).

Change of artist

Marianna Hovanisyan has withdrawn from the LSO’s performances of Suor Angelica at the Edinburgh International Festival and BBC Proms on 16 and 19 August, due to health reasons. We are pleased to announce that Jenny Stafford has agreed to step in for these concerts, in the role of Prima Cercatrice/First Tourière.

Supported by Edinburgh International Festival Endowment Fund, with additional support from the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Institute of Culture in Edinburgh

Header Image © Mark Allan