MARTY SOHL/METROPOLITAN OPERA
C1 Oct. 30–Nov. 5, 2015
American soprano Lise Lindstrom in the title role of Puccini’s “Turandot.”
Opera Review
Zeffirelli’s Production of ‘Turandot’ Still Wows Audiences By Barry Bassis
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EW YORK—Franco Zeffirelli’s production of “Turandot” at the Metropolitan Opera is visually spectacular, but since this is a Puccini opera, the audience won’t leave humming the scenery. With the Met’s top-flight orchestra, chorus, and strong cast, the music casts its own spell.
METROPOLITAN OPERA
Although “Turandot” takes place in ancient China, the work is based on a 1762 play by Italian writer Carlo Gozzi. Like Verdi, Puccini’s talent lasted until the end of his life. In fact, “Turandot” was unfinished at his death in 1924 and completed by Franco Alfano. While Puccini was usually attracted to weepy stories, like “Madame Butterfly” or “La Bohème,” “Turandot” is not especially heartwarming. Soprano Leah Crocetto.
See Turandot on C5