7 things opera's Puccini would like about Brandywine Valley

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) — whose works are the subject of this year's OperaDelaware festival — was one of the most popular composers of his lifetime, and he had the wealth to match.

Outside of the theater, Puccini was known to enjoy the finer things — and many of his passions can be indulged right here in the Brandywine Valley.

So, in honor of the seven acts that make up OD's 2018 festival (six by Puccini plus a Puccini-inspired extra), here are seven things Puccini would have loved about Wilmington:

1. A grand tradition

Puccini’s breakout hits "Manon Lescaut" and "La bohème" (conducted by a young Arturo Toscanini) premiered at the Teatro Regio in Turin. Teatro Regio was only slightly larger than our beloved Grand Opera House on Market Street. Maestro would have felt quite at home.

2. Need for speed

Puccini liked to go fast. He was passionate about cars and spent a great deal of his fortune collecting them (and paying speeding tickets). I’m betting he’d be a regular at the Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix track, also a favorite haunt of OperaDelaware Music Director Anthony Barrese. Puccini was also an avid cyclist and even raced competitively. (Although his first attempt at biking was a flop: Legend has it he crashed into a pond on his lavish property in Torre del Lago.) The Wilmington Grand Prix — which zooms right past The Grand — would have been right up his alley.

3. Location, location, location

Puccini grew up in Lucca. Geographically, Lucca is to Rome and Milan what Wilmington is to D.C. and New York. Puccini might have enjoyed the slightly slower pace with proximity to major metropolitan areas.

4. Thrill of the hunt

Puccini once said, "I love hunting, I love cars: and for these things, in the isolation of Torre del Lago, I keep the faith." If he couldn’t be in Torre de Lago, fox hunting and riding in the beautiful Brandywine Valley would make a fine substitute.

5. That’s Buccini with a B

Although Puccini might have been frustrated by seeing “his” name misspelled all over town, he’d undoubtedly admire the vision of the Buccini-Pollin Group, especially the BPG-supported amenities popping up around the opera house. Topping that list? The new 24-hour parking garage (with more than enough spaces for his car collection — and yours!) just a block from The Grand. 

6. Got a light?

The maestro was rarely photographed without a cigar or a cigarette in his mouth, specifically Toscano brand smokes. No doubt, while visiting Trolley Square, Puccini would have dined at Toscana and then enjoyed an after-dinner smoke at Sikar Cigar Lounge.

7. Mustache pride

Puccini’s iconic mustache is almost as famous as his arias. You’d probably spot him at Trolley Grooming Lounge getting his ’stache styled alongside Trolley’s beard-loving hipsters. We’re betting the maestro would also get a kick out of the chocolate mustaches Govatos Chocolates is making in honor of our festival.

IF YOU GO

OperaDelaware’s 2018 festival, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Puccini’s Il Trittico, runs April 28-May 6. Tickets are on sale now at OperaDE.org/tickets or the box office at (302) 442-7807.

"Il Tabarro" and "Suor Angelica" — April 28 (7:30 p.m.) and May 6 (2 p.m.)

"Gianni Schicchi" and "Buoso’s Ghost" — April 29 (2 p.m.) and May 5 (7:30 p.m.)

Behind the Scenes is an occasional column by Delaware arts leaders. This one is by Brendan Cooke, executive director of OperaDelaware.