SEOUL, Jun. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – The acclaimed “Turandot” opera production from Italy’s world-famous Arena di Verona will make its South Korean debut. The opera company Sol Opera announced on June 10 that the “2024 Opera Turandot Arena di Verona Original” (hereinafter referred to as “Turandot Original”) will be performed for eight days from October 12 to 19 at the KSPO DOME in Seoul’s Jamsil Olympic Gymnastics Stadium.
The “Turandot Original” production, which will be staged at the Verona Opera Festival held at the ancient Roman amphitheater Arena di Verona in northern Italy from August 8 to September 7, will be presented in its original form in South Korea.
This marks the first time an opera production from the Verona Opera Festival has been presented in its original form outside of Italy since the festival’s inception in 1913.
The “Turandot Original” is a critically acclaimed production directed by the renowned Italian film director and opera director Franco Zeffirelli, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 96. Zeffirelli is also famous for directing the film “Romeo and Juliet” starring Olivia Hussey.
The orchestra will be conducted by the “Maestro of the Century,” Daniel Oren. The Israeli-born Oren is a world-renowned conductor who won the Von Karajan International Conducting Competition at the age of 20 in 1975.
The cast performing in South Korea is considered to be one of the best lineups for any “Turandot” opera production to date.
World-renowned prima donnas Maria Guleghina and Olga Maslova from the Mariinsky Theatre will portray the title role of Turandot.
Rising star tenor Arturo Chacon-Cruz and Martin Muehle will take on the role of Calaf, the prince.
Additionally, Mariangela Sicilia and one of the world’s greatest basses, Ferruccio Furlanetto, will perform the roles of Liù and Timur, respectively.
Notably, a newcomer opera singer, soprano Jeon Yeo-jin, has been unexpectedly cast in the role of Turandot.
This production of “Turandot Original” is expected to draw comparisons with the opera “Again 2024 Turandot,” which will be staged at the COEX Convention Center D Hall in Seoul’s Gangnam District from December 22 to 31.
“Again 2024 Turandot,” directed by Park Hyun-joon, the president of the Korean Opera Association who sparked the outdoor opera craze in South Korea with his 2003 production of “Turandot,” is reported to be a grand opera with a total production cost exceeding 20 billion won.
Image credit: Sol Opera, / photonews@koreabizwire.com
