SAN DIEGO, Calif. – San Diego Opera’s 2017-2018 season continues with Puccini’s beloved Turandot Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 with additional performances Feb. 27, March 2, and March 3 (matinee), 2018. This bold and visual production comes from The Lyric Opera of Chicago and has never been seen by San Diego Opera audiences. The costumes come from Santa Fe Opera. Making a welcome return in her signature role is soprano Lise Lindstrom who has sung the role at all the world’s leading stages, including here in San Diego in her Company debut in 2011. She is joined by American soprano Angel Joy Blue in her Company debut as Liù. Also in a Company debut is American tenor Carl Tanner as Calaf. Rounding out the cast is American bass Brian Kontes as Timur, Italian baritone Marco Nisticò as Ping, American tenor Joseph Gaines as Pang, American tenor Joel Sorensen as Pong, American bass-baritone Scott Sikon as the Mandarin, and America tenor Chad Frisque as Emperor Altoum. Italian conductor Valerio Galli, recently named “Best Italian Conductor Under 40” by La Stampa newspaper, brings his expertise of the Puccini repertoire the podium in his Company debut. Stage director Keturah Stickann, who last directed 2014’s Don Quixote, returns to stage the action.
Performed in Italian with English translations above the stage, Turandot was last performed by San Diego Opera in 20011 and tells the story of Princess Turandot and her three riddles one must answer to win her heart. Every man who has tried has failed, but Prince Calàf is determined to win Turandot’s heart even at great peril to his life and the lives of those around him. Featuring the famous aria “Nessun Dorma” and “In Questa Reggia,” Turandot is one of the most popular operas ever composed and this bold and dramatic interpretation with dazzle audiences both new and old.
The sets of Turandot are owned by Lyric Opera of Chicago and the costumes come from Santa Fe Opera. Allen Charles Klein designed the sets and the costumes were designed by Willa Kim. The Lighting Designer is Lucas Krech.
Turandot was composed by Giacomo Puccini to a libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni based on a fairy-tale by Carlo Gozzi. Turandot received its world premiere at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala on April 25, 1926. These performances mark the sixth time this opera has been performed in San Diego with other performances in 2011, 2004, 1997, 1982 and 1971.
Turandot will have a radio broadcast Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 8 PM on KPBS radio, 89.5 FM (97.7 FM Calexico) and online at www.kpbs.org
