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Puccini's great opera "Turandot" will mark the final 2014 installment of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's "Great Music" series. This presentation is a Musica Viva production and is directed by Lo Kingman.
When Puccini died in November 1924, he left the final duet and concluding scene of "Turandot" unfinished. Franco Alfano was engaged to complete the opera based on sketches and notes left by Puccini. The Alfano ending has been performed as an integral part of Puccini's masterpiece ever since its first appearance in 1926. In 2002, the acclaimed Italian composer Luciano Berio was commissioned by the House of Ricordi, Puccini's publisher, to compose a new ending for the opera. This Berio version has been performed by the Los Angeles Opera at the Amsterdam Muziektheater and the Salzburg Festival, as well as by other important production venues.
Both the Alfano (7.45pm, December 12 and 13) and Berio (2.30pm, December 13 and 14) endings will be staged, making it the first time that both endings are presented side by side in consecutive performances of the same production. It is also the Asian premiere of Berio's version.
"Turandot" was the last opera written by Puccini. The libretto was written by dramatist Renato Simoni in collaboration with the poet Giuseppe Adami. The opera begins with Princess Turandot's proclamation that she will only marry a suitor of royal blood who can answer three riddles set by her. Anyone who fails will be beheaded. Calaf, heir to the throne of Tartary, successfully answers all three riddles. But Turandot now reneges on her promise. Calaf offers to release her and to die at her hand if she can discover his name before dawn. Finally, Turandot is deeply moved by Calaf's genuine affections.
The production is directed by Lo Kingman and conducted by Lio Kuokman. Lio has recently been appointed as assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the first Chinese conductor to assume this position. He was also the winner of this year's Evgeny Svetlanov Competition in France. The production team features opera stars who have sung with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Chicago Lyric Opera and London's National Opera at some of the world's most prestigious venues, performing with excellent artists from Hong Kong.
Puccini's Opera "Turandot" will be staged at 7.45pm on December 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday), 2.30pm on December 13 and 14 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $630, $460, $300 and $150 are now available at URBTIX. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). Group booking discount and "Great Music" package discount schemes are available. Please refer to programme leaflets for details.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries call 3761 6661. For telephone credit card bookings, call 2111 5999. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk. For more information on the programme, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_610.html.
Ends/Monday, September 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:55
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