[Publius]

Puccini liked to telegraph his punches by have a big buildup in the orchestra preceding his Big Money Aria for a given opera. ("La Boheme" was an exception because there were so many Big Money Arias in the show.)

In "Tosca" and "Gianni Schicchi" he uses the big buildup. In "Turandot" he avoids the buildup, and as a result, the listener doesn't know it's the Big Money Aria until he's several lines into it. It comes as a shock, and it's the technique of a mature master who no longer needs to telegraph his intent.

[ConorMacNessa]

Puccini was a genius - he had so many great ones!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!