Today I attended the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD broadcast of Puccini’s final opera, Turandot. The performance starred Christine Goerke (Turandot), Yusif Eyvazov (Calàf), Eleonora Buratto (Liù), and James Morris (Timur.) Met Opera Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted. The production is by Franco Zeffirelli and this season’s run of Turandot (and La Boheme) are dedicated to his memoery as he passed away earlier this year.
The production is Mr. Zeffirelli’s lavish production which I have reviewed before. The production, while lavish, also helps to take us away from our world and into Turandot’s realm. And it allows the opera, not the director’s take on the opera, to take the lead and be the centre of attention. Continue reading →