Sometimes billed as the last great opera ever written and bearing the distinction of having been incomplete at the 1924 death of its Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, the opera named after a Persian princess, but then set in China is set for four performances in Teatro Guadalajara November 24, 27, 29 and December 1.
“Turandot,” to be stagedirected by Ragnar Conde — known for his rich and breathtaking techniques that include multimedia — and performed by the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra under Marco Parisotto, is the ninth opera to be presented here since the resurgence of opera production in the city under the current Jalisco Secretary of Culture, Myriam Vachez, on her way out due to the upcoming installation of a new governor and administration.
The cast of “Turandot” will treat this city of opera fanatics to a blend of international talent — Ukrainian soprano Oksana Kramareva, Italian tenor Riccardo Massi, U.S. soprano Nicole Heaston and bass Grigory Soloviov — along with many Mexican stars, such as baritone Carlos Lopez and tenors Cesar Delgado and Angel Macias, who sing the charmingly named roles of Ping, Pang and Pong.
Despite these lighthearted names, “Turandot” is described as neither a comedy or a tragedy, but a dramatic love story. However, because the princess Turandot (pronounced Tour-ahn-DOH) is considered cold hearted, the dramatic tension has puzzled some critics.
“Turnadot,” Saturday, November 24; Tuesday, November 27; Thursday, November 29; and Saturday, December 1 at Teatro Degollado, Guadalajara. Tickets, 200 and 700 pesos, available at the Teatro Degollado box office from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., tel. (33) 3615-4773; or at Ticketmaster, tel. (33) 3818-3800 or ticketmaster.com.mx.