‘Turandot’ in film
This week is the final showing this season of Puccini’s swansong Turandot from the Royal Opera at Covent Garden. The powerfully performed and stunnngly detailed production opened in London September 2013 and has American Lisa Lindstrom in the title role with Marco Berti as Calaf. Conducted by Henrik Nanasi, the movie carries interviews with the creative team, singers and Sir Antonio Pappano. A major compenation for not actually being at the performance is that their insights place the production in a context that adds to an understanding of the drama, not available to the live audience.
Lindstrom is a powerhouse to the end and Eri Nakamura is captivating as Liu. Choreography, sets and costumes (Sally Jacobs) combine to recreat the horror of Peking a suffering under the frigid Princess Turandot. The production by Andrei Serban may be around 30 years old, but its attention to detail and artistry make for a memorable revival by Andrew Sinclair
In questa reggia, the battle of will and wit between Turandot and Calaf is all the more riveting for the intimacy offered by the cinema.
Not to be missed…and don’t forget to switch off your mobile phone!
Tickets $24
