The theme for this week is Saffo by Giovanni Pacini (1796-1867). The Introduction is by Prof. Philip Gossett of the University of Chicago. Prof. Gossett is the head of the Center for Italian Opera Studies at the University of Chicago, which is in the course of producing the critical editions of the works of Verdi and Rossini, among other projects.

At the Introduction, you will find a link for audio streaming of a performance of Saffo from 1967 featuring Leyla Gencer in the title role. Windows Media Player is required.

The following is a list of related links:

• An Introduction to Pacini’s Saffo
• Sappho and the Leucadian Leap
• Synopsis and libretto of Saffo [forthcoming]
• Tom Kaufman's Introduction to Giovanni Pacini
• Tom Kaufman's Pacini Discography