"The Girl of the West", a young woman based on a character created by David Belasco for his play, is rare among Puccini heroines: strong, independent, yet innocent and kind. Minnie is the center of this fast-paced drama, set in the California gold rush amid miners and outlaws. What form will frontier justice take? Will Minnie get her man? Come hear about this Puccini masterwork, which has been called his best piece of writing for the musical stage. A departure from his former style, what it lacks in melodic prodigality it more than makes up for in dramatic thrust.