Turandot - The MET: Live in HD

Nina Stemme takes on the title role of the proud princess of ancient China, Turandot, whose riddles doom every suitor who seeks her hand, opposite Marco Berti as Calàf, the brave prince who sings “Nessun dorma” and wins her love. Franco Zeffirelli’s golden production is conducted by Paolo Carignani.

Puccini’s final opera is an epic fairy tale set in a China of legend, loosely based on a play by 18th-century Italian dramatist Carlo Gozzi. Featuring a most unusual score with an astounding and innovative use of chorus and orchestra, it is still recognizably Puccini, bursting with instantly appealing melody. The unenviable task of completing the opera’s final scene upon Puccini’s sudden death was left to the composer Franco Alfano. Conductor Arturo Toscanini oversaw Alfano’s contribution and led the world premiere.

The large Turandot orchestra calls for a wide variety of instruments, including alto saxophones, celesta, bass xylophone, harps, and an organ. There are several genuine Chinese themes that are integrated into the score in a suave and brilliantly original manner, including the big imperial anthem in Act II. The opera also contains moments of sheer melodic beauty in Puccini’s most lyrical vein.

Turandot  is considered amongst the lyrical masterpieces of the 20th century, and its fairy tale- like atmosphere is filled with love, emotion, agony, drama while it concludes with a happy ending.

Producer - Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Set Designer: Franco Zeffirelli
Costume Designers: Anna Anni, Dada Saligeri
Lighting Designer: Gil Wechsler
Choreographer: Chiang Ching

Turandot: Nina Stemme
Liu: Anita Hartig
Calaf: Marco Berti
Timur: Alexander Tsymbalyuk

Conductor: Paolo Carignani