Set in Peking, this somewhat dark opera tells of the beautiful, but cold-hearted, Princess Turandot who is determined never to be possessed by a man. Julius Ahn (Pang), Joo Won Kang (Ping), Brian Jage (Calaf), and Joel Sorensen (Pong) in a scene from Puccini’s ‘Turandot’ Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Reportedly, Toscanini turned to the audience and said, ‘Here the composer died’.” This production by San Francisco Opera includes Alfano’s last duet and finale. Turandot was premiered at Teatro alla Scala in Milan on April 25 of that year, but – according to PBS – “The opening night performance omitted the Alfano finale, with Toscanini putting down his baton where Puccini had abandoned the score when he died. The last duet and finale were written by Italian composer and pianist, Franco Alfano, in 1926. Work on the score for Turandot went slowly – it was five years before Puccini had written most of it – then, tragically, he died in 1924, before he could complete it, and without being able to enjoy the success of one of his most popular and often-performed works. Puccini was apparently most enthusiastic about the idea, and in 1919, Simoni and librettist Guiseppe Adami – who had already written libretti for Puccini’s La rondine and Il tabarro – started work on the text. It was Renato Simoni – librettist, director and theatre critic – who suggested to Puccini that he write a lyric opera based on Friedrich Schiller’s version of the fairytale Turandotte, originally written by the Venetian author Carlo Gozzi in 1762. Martina Serafin in the title role of Puccini’s ‘Turandot’ – Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera

Painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer and photographer, David Hockney is considered one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century. This production is among many international exhibitions being held to mark Hockney’s 80th birthday this year.

In what will be his final season as Company Music Director, Nicola Luisotti leads the cast, Chorus and Orchestra of San Francisco Opera in this revival of Turandot, designed by British artist David Hockney, and directed by Garnett Bruce. The first production is Giacomo Puccini’s final opera, Turandot, starring soprano Martina Serafin as the icy Princess Turandot, and tenor Brian Jagde as Calaf – the prince who would win her heart. San Francisco Opera celebrates the launch of its 95th season this coming week with two opening night galas – productions of Puccini’s Turandot and Richard Strauss’s Elektra – followed by the traditional admission-free Opera in the Park on Sunday afternoon. Act II, Scene 1 of Puccini’s ‘Turandot in the production by David Hockney – Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera

Sf opera turandot