La rondine has often been called a sequel to La bohème, but while they share similarities, the two works should be viewed as related mainly in spirit. Puccini composed it for Viennese producers who wanted an operetta, something the composer had declared he would never write. What he did produce, however, was a tuneful opera of lighter character, a La traviata—to draw on another comparison—without the tragic ending.

The libretto was fashioned by Giuseppe Adami from a German one by Alfred M. Willner and Heinz Reichert. Like La bohème, it is set in Paris, but circa 1855-1860. Puccini's music shows allusions to other styles in a number of places in the score, here and there using waltz rhythms, and even, when Prunier makes reference to Salome, deftly quoting from that Richard Strauss opera. Also, the music that opens Act Three more than vaguely evokes Debussy. Still, the end product is pure Puccini, lush, melodious, and brilliantly but delicately scored.

La rondine does not contain as many famous numbers as are heard in such Puccini evergreens as Madama Butterfly and Tosca. But there are still a few familiar tunes, among which is Magda's Act One "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta," a beautiful soaring aria.

© All Music Guide