Baku is preparing for a major premiere of a new production of Giacomo Puccini's Turandot. On October 24, 25 and 27, audiences at the Heydar Aliyev Palace will see the famous opera, which has everything audiences love about grand opera: magnificent music, large-scale choral scenes, passion, drama and one of the most recognizable arias in history, Nessun dorma, according to the press service of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. The upcoming premiere is set to be one of Baku's major cultural events this autumn.
With the support of PASHA Holding, the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater is presenting a large-scale international production featuring three casts, invited international performers, leading Azerbaijani soloists, three conductors, a choir and an orchestra. New sets and costumes have been created for the production, giving audiences the opportunity to see a new Turandot created specifically for the Baku stage. The project is led by the theater's director and People's Artist of Azerbaijan, world-renowned vocalist Yusif Eyvazov.
On October 24, he will also appear on stage in his signature role as Prince Calaf. Each of the three performances of Turandot will have its own character. The casts will change from one evening to the next, along with the performers of the leading roles and the conductors.
The opening performance will bring Azerbaijani and international opera artists together on the same stage. Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio will make her Baku debut as Turandot, while People's Artist of Azerbaijan Yusif Eyvazov will perform the role of Calaf. They will be joined by People's Artist of Azerbaijan Akram Poladov, Honored Artists Afag Abbasova, Anton Fershtandt, Tural Agasiyev and Aliahmad Ibrahimov, as well as Fahmin Ahmadli and Orkhan Jalilov.
Italian conductor Beatrice Venezi will lead the orchestra. On October 25, the role of Turandot will be performed by Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Farida Mammadova, while Chilean guest tenor Diego Godoy will take on the role of Calaf. They will perform alongside Honored Artists Inara Babayeva, Tural Agasiyev and Aliahmad Ibrahimov, as well as Igor Yadrov, Mahir Tagizade, Muhammad Shammadov and Orkhan Jalilov.
Honored Artist Eyub Guliyev will conduct the performance. On October 27, the leading roles will be performed by Honored Artists of Azerbaijan Ilaha Efendiyeva and Farid Aliyev. Fatima Jafarzade, People's Artist Akram Poladov, Honored Artists Anton Fershtandt, Tural Agasiyev and Aliahmad Ibrahimov, as well as Fahmin Ahmadli and Orkhan Jalilov, will also appear on stage.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
