Puccini's last great masterpiece Turandot returns with a sumptuous traditional production with sets by one of Russia's leading designers Alexander Okum, who is currently scoring a major success with Disney in America.

Turandot is the story of the cold-hearted princess, who is surrounded by suitors facing death if they fail to answer her riddle correctly; and the one man who can melt the ice in her heart. 

As soon as the curtain rose it was clear we were going to enjoy the fine singing voices of Rosa Lee Thomas as Liu the slave girl and Oghnyan  Nicolov the prince Calaf.  The exotic staging conjured up a traditional view of ancient China in this version of an old fairy-tale of the cruel Eastern Princess Turandot who slays those who love her.

The reuniting of Calaf with his blind father Timur, played with great sensitivity by Vitalie Cires , was made poignant by the evocative singing of Liu who fell in love with Calaf  when he once smiled at her in the palace and for who she was prepared to risk her life.

 The characters Ping (Vladimir Dragos) , Pang ( Anatol Arcea) and Pong ( Vasile Micusa), the three ministers of the Imperial Household , could be relied upon throughout the performance to remove the gloom of executions every time a suitor for Turandot failed to solve her three riddles . This was as a result of their antics on stage and their excellent costumes skilfully exaggerating their girth. The music is remarkable for the consistent way in which Puccini suggests the colourful nature of these three ministers. 

In Act II we are introduced to Turandots Father, the Emperor, played by Vasile Cheptenari who might easily have been mistaken for a court jester due to a staggering gait and strange headgear!

Monica Chabros in the role of Turandot gave a commanding and convincing performance, which at times overshadowed the Prince although later when on stage by himself his rendering of  “Nessun dorma” was moving.

The costumes were striking and colourful throughout and although there were minimal set changes the clever use of lighting and special effects more than compensated 

For me the outstanding performance of the evening was that of Rosa Lee Thomas. Her rendering of the final aria was the emotional climax of the opera. She embodied the female virtues so clearly lacking in the icy Turandot.

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 Music

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Ticket Prices:

£6 to £42.50 with concessions available

 Performance Times:

7.15PM

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