In the square in front of the palace in ancient Beijing, the beautiful Princess Trandot tells three riddles. If a challenger can solve all three, he would get to marry the princess. If he fails, however, he would be put to death. Prince Calaf, who has been wandering the world after losing his country, takes up the challenge. The story of the icy cold Princess Turandot and the brave Prince Calaf will be staged at the Daegu Opera House on January 23 and 24 as its first program of the year.
Puccini's "Turandot" was the opening work at the 12th Daegu International Opera Festival last year. The song "Nessum Dorma" featured in "Turandot" is one of the most famous opera arias in history. Puccini, who is famous for composing works like "Tosca" and "Madame Butterfly," put his blood, sweat and tears into the opera and even said people could forget about his other operas. It is also his last opera work. "Turandot" is a masterpiece, as it is two and a half hours long and the cast numbers around 200.
The opera will be conducted by maestro János Ács, who conducted the Three Tenors in Concert tour featuring Pavarotti, Carreras and Domingo. Jeong Seon-young, who was praised for her refined and inspiring direction of Verdi's "La forza del destino," the opening work for the 2013 Daegu International Opera Festival, will direct the opera.
Spectators will able to see two different pairs of Turandot and Calaf. Soprano Lee Hwa-young, who won the grand prize for appearing as Turandot during the 2009 Daegu International Opera Festival, will take the role of the heroine. It requires not only a powerful voice, but also sophisticated emotional acting. The other soprano in the role will be Kim Ra-hee, a former permanent singer for the Theater Freiburg Opera House.
Lee Byung-sam is praised for being a "spinto tenor" in the Italian tradition, having the heroic high notes needed in the role of the brave Prince Calaf as he takes on challenges to achieve his love. The other Calaf will be Shin Dongwon, known for his powerful voice with strong appeal.
"Like Calaf who wins the heart of Turandot, I wanted to revive the human existence and its value," said Jeong Seon-young, director of the production. "Opera is a Western art form and has different subjects and sentiments, but it is basically a story about people. I want to direct it as not only the story of a composer and his main characters, but also as a story with which all of us can sympathize," said Jeong.
"Turandot" will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 23, and at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 24. Tickets range from KRW 10,000 to KRW 50,000. For more information, please visit the Interpark homepage(hticket.interpark.com), that of the Daegu Opera House (hwww.daeguoperahouse.org), or call 053-666-6023.
By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of Daegu Opera House
jun2@korea.kr
Puccini's "Turandot" was the opening work at the 12th Daegu International Opera Festival last year. The song "Nessum Dorma" featured in "Turandot" is one of the most famous opera arias in history. Puccini, who is famous for composing works like "Tosca" and "Madame Butterfly," put his blood, sweat and tears into the opera and even said people could forget about his other operas. It is also his last opera work. "Turandot" is a masterpiece, as it is two and a half hours long and the cast numbers around 200.
A scene from the opera 'Turandot,' to be staged by the Daegu Opera House.
The opera will be conducted by maestro János Ács, who conducted the Three Tenors in Concert tour featuring Pavarotti, Carreras and Domingo. Jeong Seon-young, who was praised for her refined and inspiring direction of Verdi's "La forza del destino," the opening work for the 2013 Daegu International Opera Festival, will direct the opera.
Spectators will able to see two different pairs of Turandot and Calaf. Soprano Lee Hwa-young, who won the grand prize for appearing as Turandot during the 2009 Daegu International Opera Festival, will take the role of the heroine. It requires not only a powerful voice, but also sophisticated emotional acting. The other soprano in the role will be Kim Ra-hee, a former permanent singer for the Theater Freiburg Opera House.
Lee Byung-sam is praised for being a "spinto tenor" in the Italian tradition, having the heroic high notes needed in the role of the brave Prince Calaf as he takes on challenges to achieve his love. The other Calaf will be Shin Dongwon, known for his powerful voice with strong appeal.
Lee Hwa-young (top) and Kim Ra-hee as Turadot in the opera.
"Like Calaf who wins the heart of Turandot, I wanted to revive the human existence and its value," said Jeong Seon-young, director of the production. "Opera is a Western art form and has different subjects and sentiments, but it is basically a story about people. I want to direct it as not only the story of a composer and his main characters, but also as a story with which all of us can sympathize," said Jeong.
"Turandot" will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 23, and at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 24. Tickets range from KRW 10,000 to KRW 50,000. For more information, please visit the Interpark homepage(hticket.interpark.com), that of the Daegu Opera House (hwww.daeguoperahouse.org), or call 053-666-6023.
By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of Daegu Opera House
jun2@korea.kr
A poster for 'Turandot,' the first program by the Daegu Opera House this year.
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