Turandot: Caracalla 2024
About the Event
Immerse yourself in the stunning architecture of Rome's breathtaking Baths of Caracalla for the ultimate concert set to awake your understanding of opera.
Music Giacomo Puccini
Lyric Drama in Three Acts and Five Scenes
Libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni
Turandot is Puccini's last opera, unfinished at the time of his death in 1924. The opera was completed by Franco Alfano, using Puccini’s sketches and drafts, although other versions are sometimes performed. As with 'Madama Butterfly', the composer explores Oriental tonality, both music and plot reflecting an enduring interest in exoticism that gripped Western Europe in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The plot is based on the story of the cold, hard‐hearted Princess Turandot from the Persian 'Book of One Thousand and One Days'. The tragic story of love and loss premiered in Milan in 1926, where the opera was shown in its unfinished version in honour of its composer.
Act 1
The Forbidden City in Beijing, China. The Princess Turandot, a woman of great beauty, but whose heart is cold as ice, sets her suitors three riddles. Failure to answer correctly comes with the penalty of death. The execution of a failed prince stirs the blood of the crowd. Among the crowd stands a vanquished king of Tartary, Timur. The old king meets his long‐lost son, Prince Calaf, once again. Calaf falls in love with Turandot at first sight, and swears he will answer her three riddles. Timur’s slave girl, Liu, attempts to stop his reckless resolve, but his determination strengthens.
Act 2
Turandot appears, and begins to ask Calaf her three riddles, and Calaf successfully answers. Turandot is furious, and refuses to marry him. Calaf offers an exchange — if Turandot can learn his name by dawn, he will forfeit his life.
Act 3
Turandot orders that no‐one may sleep until someone learns the mysterious prince's name. Liu is captured and tortured. Turandot asks Liu why she is refusing to give up his name. Liu answers that her love for Calaf gives her strength, and takes her own life.
Turandot remains alone to confront Calaf. Calaf gives away his own name. At the break of dawn, Turandot proclaims her victory. She announces to the crowd “His name is …Love”. Turandot and Calaf are married.
Cast / Production
Conductor: Donato Renzetti
Director: Francesco Micheli
Chorus Master: Ciro Visco
Creative Design and Setting: Massimiliano E Doriana Fuksas
Costume Designer: Giada Masi
Video: Luca Scarzella, Michele Innocente, Matteo Castiglioni
Lighting Designer: Alessandro Carletti
Cast
Turandot: Angela Meade / Lise Lindstrom 6, 8, 10 August
Calaf: Luciano Ganci / Brian Jadge 25, 28 July/ Arsen Soghomonyan 10 August
Liú: Maria Grazia Schiavo /juliana Grigoryan 2, 6, 8, 10 August
The Emperor Altoum: Piero Giuliacci
Timur: Alessio Cacciamani
Ping: Haris Adrianos
Pong: Marcello Nardis
Pang: Marco Miglietta
A Mandarin: Mattia Rossi*
* From the project “Fabbrica” young artist program pf the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
Teatro dell’Opera di Roma Orchestra and Chorus
with the partecipation of Scuola di Canto Corale
A TTeatro dell’Opera di Roma New Production
