Giacomo Puccini: Turandot
An opera in three acts. Composed in 1921-1924; last act completed by Franco Alfano. Libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Reanto Simoni. First performed in Milan on April 25, 1926.
Turandot tells the story of a Chinese princess famous for her beauty and coldness. She will give her hand only to a man who can answer three tricky questions; those who fail are beheaded. Calaf, the dispossessed Prince of Tartary, answers the questions correctly, to the horror of both Turandot and his relatives. Love is sacrificed to love so that love may be victorious.
The music of Turandot has many oriental touches, but above all it carries on the great Italian opera tradition, with its melodic singing, magnificent choir scenes and visual splendour. Puccini died while he was still working on Turandot and the version nowadays performed is the one completed by fellow composer Franco Alfano.
Performance
Conductor |
Jari Hämäläinen |
Stage director, stage design,
costumes and lighting design |
Pet Halmen |
Chorus master |
Matti Hyökki |
Orchestra |
Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra |
Choir |
Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir |
Cast