Golden Age December 26, 2012

It's the opening night of Vincenzo Bellini's new opera 'I Puritani' in Paris, and the Italian composer is determined to win the adulation of not only his audience, but his colleagues and rivals as well. When the curtain falls, will a thunderous ovation cement his prominence? Or has Bellini unwittingly composed his own swan song? Blending 21st century language with the timeless beauty of 19th century bel canto opera, Terrence McNally's new play portrays the final act of an artist whose desire for greatness has eclipsed all else. Lee Pace stars as Bellini. Bebe Neuwirth plays Maria Malibran and Lorenzo Pisoni plays Antonio Tamburini, two well-known opera singers of the day.