The last time Turandot was such a spectacle, it was the title performance of Handa’s Opera on Sydney Harbour and made for a light, sound and experiential spectacular that had to be experienced.
Fast forward to 2022 and it’s taking over the Joan Sutherland Theatre in the Sydney Opera House, offering audiences members the moment, again, to hold their breath as Yonghoon Lee – an OA favourite – hits that famous Vincero note (I will will) at the end of Nessun Dorma (No one will sleep).
It’s an especially exciting way to kick of the new year of music after almost two years of music deprivation around the world thanks to the pandemic. We’re aching for the angelic voices of Yonghoon Lee (Calaf), Karah Son and Mariana Hong (Liu) and a spread of other renowned Opera Australia talent.
Not to mention, as 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.
What’s Turandot about?
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).
You can see Turandot at Sydney Opera House:
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
Get tickets at the Opera Australia website