Arena di Verona
by Giacomo Puccini
Show
Opera
Booklet
Giuseppe Adami, Renato Simoni
Music
Giacomo Puccini
Duration
160' circa
Are you passionate about tales and legends from the East? Then you will fall in love with Turandot, Giacomo Puccini's last opera and his most frequently performed work at the Arena.
A Mandarin man in Beijing relays Princess Turandot's decree to the people: any prince seeking to marry her must solve three riddles, or face beheading (as witnessed with the latest failed suitor from Persia). While the crowd awaits the next trial, Calaf (an exiled prince in disguise) reunites with his blind father Timur, accompanied by the loyal slave girl Liù. However, when he sees Turandot, he falls in love with her at first sight and decides to try his luck in turn. The three imperial ministers (Ping, Pang, and Pong) try to dissuade him, while Liù (who has always loved him) begs him not to risk his life. But their pleas are futile. After asking Liù to take care of the elderly Timur, Calaf bravely steps forward to face the perilous trial.
Following Ping, Pang, and Pong's reflections on conditions in China, the trial unfolds with the Emperor, Turandot's father, in attendance. Initially, the princess expresses her desire to execute all suitors to avenge the violent death of an ancestor, then poses the three riddles. Although Calaf solves them, Turandot refuses his marriage proposal. Consequently, the prince issues his own challenge: “Guess my name before dawn, and you may execute me. Otherwise, you must marry me”.
As Beijing remains vigilant under Turandot's decree, Calaf waits for dawn, confident in his imminent victory. However, the ministers capture Timur and Liu, the latter choosing to kill herself in order not to divulge the secret of the man she loves. Liu's suicide deeply affects everyone, prompting Calaf to confront Turandot, managing to kiss her and thaw her icy heart. The princess confesses to him that she has loved him from the start. Calaf then reveals his identity, leaving his fate in her hands. As the people and court assemble, Turandot proclaims the stranger's name as “Love”. The sun rises and everyone celebrates the new royal couple.
08, 15, 22, 29 June
08, 15, 22, 29 June
08, 15, 22, 29 June
08, 15, 22, 29 June
08 June
15 June
22 June
29 June
08, 15, 22, 29 June
08 June
15 June
22, 29 June
08, 15, 22, 29 June
08, 29 June
15 June
22 June
08, 15, 22, 29 June
08, 15, 22, 29 June
08, 15, 22, 29 June
08, 15 June
22, 29 June
“No one shall sleep” because Turandot is returning to the Arena in a magical production by director and set designer Franco Zeffirelli, accompanied by costumes from the Oscar-winning Emi Wada. From 8 to 29 June, the magnificence of the Forbidden City will unfold before your eyes during four performances dedicated to Giacomo Puccini's final masterpiece. An opera that, like the stars, will make you tremble “with love and hope”.
The Ministry of Culture and Fondazione Arena di Verona celebrate the recognition of opera as a vital contribution to cultural heritage in an extraordinary gala evening with Riccardo Muti conducting 154 orchestra musicians and over 300 choir artists.
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A world premiere to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Arena di Verona presents an immersive experience combining classical music and technology, directed by Marco Balich, with Giovanni Andrea Zanon on violin.
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