Giacomo Puccini

September 24, 2021

The Return of Abortion Tourism

As Texas and an increasing number of states are saving the lives of unborn children by successfully implementing restrictive abortion laws, we are already witnessing the return of the pre-Roe era of “abortion tourism.” It is likely that once again—as in the early 1970s—New York City will be the deadly destination of choice for women [...]

April 18, 2019

Glory to You, Love: Puccini’s Turandot and the Triduum

by Paul Joseph Prezzia

Old Mother Goose, When she used to wander, Would ride through the air On a very fine gander. This poem, along with all the other “Mother Goose” poems, was extremely important to John Senior, the Catholic educator who inspired the creation of The Civilized Reader column you are reading now. He was especially enamored with [...]

December 20, 2016

Christmas and its Consequences: A Review of Puccini’s La Bohème

by Paul Joseph Prezzia

Christmas has been the backdrop to many beautiful stories from the Second Shepherds Play to O. Henry's “Gift of the Magi.” Given the charm and beauty of Christmas, this is no surprise. Many of “Christmas” stories, if we pay careful enough attention, are valuable meditations on the love and self-forgetfulness taught best by God himself. [...]