After months of live music deprivation, audiences are invited to experience the power of opera’s most famous aria in Puccini’s Turandot when it returns to the Sydney Opera House on January 12, 2022.
Achieving pop status when Luciano Pavarotti’s “Vincerò” made 73,603 people at the 1990 FIFA World Cup Final hold their breath, ‘Nessun dorma’ ends with the statement “I will win” – a fitting mantra for the arts industry after its recent decimation, guaranteed to evoke goosebumps and tears in the Joan Sutherland Theatre.
Singing the aria will be celebrated South Korean tenor Yonghoon Lee who will perform “a superb Calàf, his stentorian delivery producing decibels that belie his slim frame”, while stellar American soprano Lise Lindstrom returns to demonstrate how she made a name for herself in the title role, bringing her “commanding voice and an equally commanding presence,” (Limelight).
OA Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini is pleased to announce that rising star Australian soprano Anna-Louise Cole will share the title role. “Anna-Louise has been a member of our Young Artist Program and is ready to tackle these big roles. It is really exciting that she will make her role debut as Turandot so audiences in Sydney can hear what her voice can really do.”
Also sharing the lead roles will be Russian tenor Ivan Gyngazov making his Opera Australia debut as Calàf while South Korean sopranos Karah Son and Mariana Hong will share the part of Liù.
The exceptional Italian maestro Renato Palumbo returns to Australia to lead the Opera Australia Orchestra, Chorus and Children’s Chorus through Puccini’s intensely moving score. Sharing the baton is Italian Leonardo Sini, known as one of the most promising conductors of his generation.
A fantasy opera of poetry and myth, Turandot transports audiences to an exotic world where fear and love go hand in hand. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as suitors answer riddles at the risk of death in an attempt to win the hand of the ice princess of opera.
Since its premiere in 1990, director Graeme Murphy’s daring production quickly became renowned as one of the ultimate classics in the Opera Australia repertoire that has since stood the test of time. “Murphy’s version of this iconic opera should remain in the catalogue as it is an excellent example of homegrown ability to stage world-class versions of much-loved classics,” (Daily Telegraph).
Creatives
Conductor Renato Palumbo Jan 12 – Feb 12 Leonardo Sini Feb 15 – Mar 14
Director & Choreographer Graeme Murphy AO Revival Director Shane Placentino
Set & Costume Designer Kristian Fredrikson Lighting Designer John Drummond Montgomery Assistant Director Warwick Doddrell
Cast
Turandot Lise Lindstrom Jan 12 – Feb 5 Anna-Louise Cole Feb 9 – Mar 14
Calàf Yonghoon Lee Jan 12 – 28
Ivan Gyngazov Feb 2 – Mar 14
Liù Karah Son Jan 12 – Feb 12
Mariana Hong Feb 15 – Mar 14
Timur David Parkin
Pong Virgilio Marino
Pang Iain Henderson
Ping Luke Gabbedy
Emperor Dean Bassett
Mandarin Alexander Sefton
Handmaiden 1 Leah Thomas
Handmaiden 2 Katherine Wiles
Prince of Persia Dean Bassett
Opera Australia Chorus
Opera Australia Children’s Chorus
Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia is committed to COVID Safe practices.
Please refer to the website for the Company’s COVID Safe procedures:
https://opera.org.au/covid-safety
Performance information
Evenings at 7.30pm
January 12, 19, 22, 24, 28
February 2, 9, 12, 15, 17, 26
March 5, 10, 14
Saturday Matinees at 12.30pm January 15
February 5
Running time
Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes including two intervals
Performed in Italian with English surtitles
Bookings
Adult tickets from $79 (fees may apply)
Opera Australia Box Office
(02) 9318 8200
www.opera.org.au
Joan Sutherland Theatre,
Sydney Opera House