Saxofonist

Ruggero is young and wealthy, with his whole life before him. Magda is beautiful, worldly and wise – surely too wise to fall in love all over again? But amid the delights of belle-époque Paris, romance can be as intoxicating as champagne – and the heart, as they say, has its own reasons. In Puccini’s opera La rondine, they’ve never sounded sweeter.

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Puccini's 'La rondine'

Barbican Centre

Ermonela Jaho stars in Puccini’s bittersweet romance, his opera La rondine, incorporating music that has not been heard this century. 

Ruggero is young and wealthy, with his whole life before him. Magda is beautiful, worldly and wise – surely too wise to fall in love all over again? But amid the delights of belle-époque Paris, romance can be as intoxicating as champagne – and the heart, as they say, has its own reasons. In Puccini’s opera La rondine, they’ve never sounded sweeter.

Inspired by Viennese operetta, La rondine is a bittersweet love story, set to some of the most romantic melodies that even Puccini ever wrote. But it’s also portrait of a world waltzing on the edge; a deeply moving study of innocence and (tender) experience. This one-off concert performance from the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Opera Rara stars Ermonela Jaho as Magda, and uses the newly restored final 1921 version of the score, incorporating music which is completely unknown today. Prepare to be seduced.

Puccini’s La rondine

Opera Rara invites you to experience the final salon concert of its 55th Season Salon Series, recorded live at London’s Bechstein Hall on 23 April 2026. This broadcast features British tenor Robert Lewis, winner of the 2025 Tenor Viñas Competition’s Domingo Prize, and British-Iranian soprano Soraya Mafi, a former ENO Harewood Artist and one of the UK’s most versatile young sopranos. They are joined by acclaimed pianist Anna Tilbrook, the Salon Series’ featured collaborator.

The programme includes several newly discovered and restored duets by Donizetti, selected by Opera Rara’s Repertoire Consultant Roger Parker and presented to the public for the very first time. Alongside these rarities, the evening offers a rich selection of songs and duets showcasing the artistry and chemistry of two exceptional singers at the forefront of their generation.

Join us for an online concert of discovery and musical brilliance, captured live in the intimate surroundings of Bechstein Hall.

Broadcast: Soraya Mafi, Robert Lewis and Anna Tilbrook Salon Concert

Join us for an evening of live jazz with the College of Charleston Faculty Jazz Ensemble, showcasing an exciting mix of original compositions and timeless jazz standards. Experience the dynamic talent and creativity of our distinguished faculty as they bring their passion for music to the stage. 

Charleston Jazz Festival | The College of Charleston Faculty Jazz Ensemble

College of Charleston

American trumpeter, vocalist and former leader of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, Charlton Singleton is a GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist along with his fellow Ranky Tanky band mates.

Charleston Jazz Festival: Charlton Singleton’s Beehive Orchestra

Firefly Distillery

Renowned for The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky brings feelings of drama, history and magic all through his talented blend of characterisation and opera. Creating a synergy of Russian traditions with French and German influences, Tchaikovsky’s distinctive musical voice remains unique and unmistakable today.

Scottish Opera - Tchaikovsky’s Heroines & Heroes

Usher Hall

Opera Rara’s final Salon Series recital of its 55th season sees British tenor Robert Lewis join forces with British-Iranian soprano Soraya Mafi at London’s Bechstein Hall on 23 April 2026. They will be accompanied once again by the series’ featured collaborator and pianist Anna Tilbrook.

Winner of the 2025 Tenor Viñas Competition’s Domingo Prize, Robert Lewis will make his Opera Rara debut singing the role of Gobin in the final, 1921 version of Puccini’s La rondine at London’s Barbican Centre in December 2025. Opera Rara’s studio recording of Puccini’s opera will also mark Lewis’s recording debut.

Saxofonist

Robert Lewis

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 10, 2025

Scottish Opera - Tchaikovsky’s Heroines & Heroes · Usher Hall

Apr 23, 2026

Soraya Mafi, Robert Lewis and Anna Tilbrook Salon Concert · Opera Rara

Past events

Dec 5, 2025

Puccini's 'La rondine' · Barbican Centre

Dec 5, 2025

Puccini’s La rondine · Opera Rara

Future and recently performed repertoire

Gobin in La rondine by Puccini

Barbican Centre

About

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