Making the World Cry: An Audio Biography by Jörg Handstein

Puccini's music touches the hearts of millions. But how well do we really know the man, his work, and his era? What was his life like? What shaped his genius? This new audio biography from BR-KLASSIK – vividly and captivatingly narrated by Udo Wachtveitl and accompanied by lush music – offers the answers.

When Mimì utters her last words, Tosca throws herself on her dead lover, or Cio Cio San takes her child in her arms once more, opera audiences worldwide reach for tissues. This was Puccini’s goal: far piangere – “to make people cry”. His success in this brought him immense fame and fortune, but how did he craft such enduring art? This audio biography reveals the perfectionist behind the works, a man who spent years refining his operas to make them feel as if they were part of real life.

Puccini's personal life is often reduced to his notorious passions for women, cars and hunting, along with the tragedy surrounding the suicide of his maid, Doria Manfredi. He was undoubtedly a “macho” through and through, but as he confided to his soulmate Sybil Seligman, “not even my friends know who I really am.” In this audio biography, with its many quotations, Puccini shares numerous aspects of his story himself, often surprising listeners with his humour, self-deprecation and critical reflection (though his behaviour remained unchanged). We hear of his affairs, miseries, joys and struggles. We accompany him on his bicycle, aboard an ocean liner, duck hunting, in family disputes, and in moments of triumph in New York. And we witness his country – Italy, tragically torn by crisis and eventually sliding into war and fascism.

The main focus, however, is his music, and not just his famous arias and operas. From the church music of his student days to experimental stage works like La Fanciulla del West and Il Trittico, this audio biography charts the remarkable development of his career and uncovers many musical gems.

CD 4: Best of Puccini
Arias, choruses, songs and orchestral works from La bohème, Le villi, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Tosca, Turandot – with Anna Bonitatibus, Javier Camarena, Charles Castronovo, Mirella Freni, Chen Reiss; Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks; Münchner Rundfunkorchester

Booklet in German