While best known today for having composed the ending to Puccini's unfinished Turandot, Franco Alfano wrote some dozen operas, including Cyrano de Bergerac (1936) with a libretto by Henri Cain based on Edmond Rostand's drama of the same name. It is a moving tale of romantic misunderstanding, swashbuckling bravado and heartbreaking loyalty, in which the eloquent Cyrano feels unable to express his love for Roxane because of his famously protuberant nose except on behalf of his handsome but inarticulate friend, Christian.
Acting
Domingo's 64-year-old Cyrano somehow sells 25-year-old romantic agony.
Production
The balcony scene staging is genuinely breathtaking.
Director
Michal Znaniecki
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Alfano is infamous for completing Turandot's ending after Puccini's death; critics savaged him then praised this opera's own finale.
Domingo's casting at 64 sparked debate—Cyrano dies young in the text—but his vocal authority makes the age gap weirdly work.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
FR
