Pittsburgh, PA…
January 17, 2017
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Pittsburgh Opera continues its 78th season with Puccini’s masterpiece Turandot, at the Benedum Center March 25 – April 2.
Set in ancient China, Turandot is one of the most popular operas of all time - a lavish production full of dazzling sets and costumes, beautiful music, and epic singing.
The opera's story involves Prince Calaf, who falls in love with the icy Princess Turandot. To marry her, he must solve three riddles; a single wrong answer results in death.
Alexandra Loutsion makes her long-awaited role debut as Princess Turandot. Thiago Arancam makes his Pittsburgh Opera debut as her suitor Calaf, having sung the role previously in Auckland, Caracas, and Naples, Florida.
Even first-time opera-goers will recognize Calaf’s powerful aria "Nessun dorma," which is a staple of dramatic cinematic moments, sporting events, and Italian tire commercials alike.
Can Calaf win Turandot’s heart without losing his head? See why Turandot is an all-time favorite.
Renaud Doucet directs. Antony Walker conducts.
Tickets start at just $12 and are available online.
Performance Dates/Times/Location/Length
- Sat, March 25, 2017 * 8:00 PM
- Tue, March 28, 2017 * 7:00 PM
- Fri, March 31, 2017 * 7:30 PM
- Sun, April 2, 2017 * 2:00 PM
Benedum Center for the Performing Arts, 237 7th Street, downtown Pittsburgh
Run time: 2 hours, 32 minutes, including two intermissions
Sung in Italian with English texts projected above the stage
Tickets and Group Discounts
- Tickets to Turandot start at just $12
- All performances are at the Benedum Center, 237 7th Street, in downtown Pittsburgh
- To purchase tickets, call 412-456-6666, visit the Theatre Square Box Office, or buy online.
- Group discounts are available. For discounted group tickets (6 or more), contact Regina Connolly at 412-281-0912, x 213
Fascinating Facts about Turandot
- The “Nessun Dorma” (English translation “No one shall sleep”) is one of the most famous, dramatic, and well-known arias in opera history. Luciano Pavarotti famously performed it at the 1990 World Cup, and reprised it at his last-ever performance, at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics. It has been featured at climactic moments in movies ranging from Bend it Like Beckham, The Sum of All Fears, and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (where it occurred during a performance of the opera in Vienna), as well as a famous Pirelli tire commercial.
- This marks the role debut for Alexandra Loutsion as Turandot. Ms. Loutsion grew up in Canonsburg, PA, home to Perry Como and Bobby Vinton. She is an alumna, not just of the Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist program, but also the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus (formerly Children’s Festival Chorus) and the Junior Mendelssohn Choir. The role is famously difficult, and takes such a toll on the vocal chords that singers specialize in it knowing they are risking a shortened career.
- Turandot was Puccini’s final opera. In fact, he died shortly before he could complete it. The ending was composed by Franco Alfano. During the world premiere opening night in 1926, conductor Arturo Toscanini stopped the performance where Puccini finished writing, telling the audience “Here the Maestro laid down his pen."
THE STORY, IN BRIEF
Set in ancient China, the opera's story involves Prince Calaf, who falls in love with the icy Princess Turandot.
To obtain permission to marry Turandot, a suitor has to solve three riddles; a single wrong answer results in death.
A synopsis of the plot can be found on Turandot's landing page.
