BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. The grand
premiere of the opera “Turandot” took place at the Heydar Aliyev
Palace. The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre
presented a new staging of Giacomo Puccini’s famous opera to a
standing ovation. World-renowned tenor and People’s Artist of
Azerbaijan Yusif Eyvazov performed in the production.
Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva
attended the premiere.
Staged in Azerbaijan for the first time in 98 years, the new
production of “Turandot” was specifically created for the Baku
stage.
The production designer is Mustafa Mustafayev, the executive
designer is Honored Cultural Worker Tehran Babayev, and the
director is Elnur Ismayilov. The production director is Mikayil
Mikayilov. Honored Artist and choirmaster Sevil Hajiyeva led the
choral preparation. The choreographers are People’s Artist Madina
Aliyeva and Honored Artist Anar Mikayilov.
The production features three different casts. Across the three
premiere evenings, the roles of Turandot and Calaf will be
performed by different soloists, with different conductors taking
the podium.
On October 24, the famous role of Calaf was performed by
People’s Artist Yusif Eyvazov, director of the Azerbaijan State
Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre and one of the most renowned
Azerbaijani opera singers on the international stage. The role has
become a signature part of Yusif Eyvazov’s repertoire. At the same
time, this marked the famous tenor’s first performance in the role
in Azerbaijan. That evening, the role of Turandot was performed by
Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio, with Italian maestro Beatrice
Venezi conducting.
At a press conference held before the performance, Yusif Eyvazov
called the premiere of “Turandot” a historic event. The People’s
Artist noted that, after 98 years, “Turandot” had returned to the
Azerbaijani stage. He said that the new staging, presented by
director Mikayil Mikayilov and production designer Mustafa
Mustafayev, was of a very high standard. International opera
soloists are also performing alongside Azerbaijani artists in the
production.
Production director Mikayil Mikayilov added that the theatre
troupe had made an immense effort. “We hope the audience will
appreciate our efforts and enjoy the performance. This is a very
remarkable event of great value to our theatrical culture,” he
stated.
“Turandot” is one of Giacomo Puccini’s most famous operas. The
three-act production is based on Carlo Gozzi’s play of the same
name. The libretto was written by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni.
The world premiere of the opera took place on April 25, 1926, at La
Scala in Milan, under the baton of Arturo Toscanini.
Baku audiences first saw the opera in 1928, just two years after
its world premiere. The Baku production was the first performance
of “Turandot” in the Soviet Union.
Puccini worked on “Turandot” from the summer of 1920 until his
death in 1924. However, he did not live to complete his famous
masterpiece. The final part of the opera was completed by Franco
Alfano based on Puccini’s sketches.
The plot of the opera revolves around the romantic story of the
cruel Princess Turandot and Prince Calaf. As in Gozzi’s fairy tale,
Turandot tests all her suitors with three riddles, declaring that
she will marry whoever answers them correctly, while anyone who
answers incorrectly will be executed. After a series of trials,
Calaf solves the riddles and ultimately marries Turandot, who
surrenders to the power of his love.
