Mitch Friedfeld wrote:

>It's funny, but I've never been able to get into Puccini's one-act-*only*
>operas, Il Trittico.

Surprising that anyone could find "Gianni Schicchi" a pill! Then, "Il
Tabarro" has claims musically speaking to be regarded as Puccini's
masterpiece, with not a wasted bar - though for myself I think he never
bettered Act 1 of "La Boheme" for quality and abundance, as well as
theatrical concentration.  It has a quick-witted freshness which perhaps
his later works lack.

Christopher Webber,  Blackheath, London,  UK.
http://www.nashwan.demon.co.uk/zarzuela.htm
"ZARZUELA!"