Who needs a singer? With Play Puccini, instrumentalists can bathe themselves in luxurious Italian melody! These ten opera arias are among the composer's most famous and distinctive achievements, here transcribed for intermediatelevel solo instrument and piano. The book includes a biography of Puccini, notes about the plot of each opera, and the dramatic context of the selected aria. The companion CD features excellent performances, as well as pianoaccompaniments for practice. Includes arias from: La Boheme, La Fanciulla Del West, Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Suor Angelica, Tosca and Turandot. ...this collection is very suitable for intermediate cellistswho are ready to explore more expressive possibilities with regard to emotional drama, dynamics, vibrato, and overall musicianship. It also is a wonderful way to introduce students to some of the best loved Pucciniarias.--American String Teachers Association