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| Irene Theorin and Marco Berti. Photo by Cory Weaver |
FOR ALL EVENTS
LOVE CONQUERS ALL IN TURANDOT
It is Puccini’s last opera.
This production (Turandot) at the San Francisco Opera House is the most vivid and colorful
production that I have ever seen. For that I can forgive the first two acts
that were a little bit slow. But the Third
Act is beyond fantastic.
David Hockney has come up
with a production that is way into the future. With dazzling 3-D like visuals.
Hockney made sure that the lighting enhanced the music. The result? Electrifying!
In her San Francisco debut Irene Theorin (Turandot) is a princess who is cold as ice. Finally, in the second act the
man-hating Turandot begins to melt a little as Prince Calaf manages to answer
her riddles. Calaf (Marco Berti) wins over the Princess. Not easily, but he
melts the frigid Princess little by little. The Princess is gorgeously dressed
and completely on pitch. She eventually warms up to Calaf who sings the tuneful
and beautiful aria “Nussum Dorma.” It’s always the highlight of the Opera.
On stage briefly is Liu (Leah
Crocetto) who is in love with Calaf. He, of course likes here, but he doesn’t
love her. Her fate? The Princess sends Liu to her death. The selfish,
self-loved Turandot is not all that caring.
I don’t think there could be
a better production of “Turandot.” The singing is absolutely breathtaking.
The conductor Nicola
Luisotti’s conducting brings a magical blend of Orchestra and Vocals. This Grand Opera opens new light and
new visions of powerful high notes. Every movement is sumptuous.
RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF
CHAMPAGNE!!!! –(highest rating) –trademarked-
This visually majestic
“Turandot” will play Oct. 4 -- Nov. 18-25. Info and Tickets: 415-864-3330.
(((Lee Hartgrave has
contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and
produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))
RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF
CHAMPAGNE!!!! –(highest rating) –trademarked-
This visually majestic
“Turandot” will play Oct. 4 -- Nov. 18-25. Info and Tickets: 415-864-3330.
(((Lee Hartgrave has
contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and
produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))
COURTESY OF: www.beyondchron.org.
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