Baku:A new production of Giacomo Puccini’s opera ‘Turandot’ has premiered at the Heydar Aliyev Palace, marking its return to the Azerbaijani stage after a 98-year absence. The event, hosted by the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, featured the celebrated tenor and People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, Yusif Eyvazov, and was met with prolonged applause from the audience.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the premiere was attended by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The production was staged specifically for the Baku audience and featured the creative direction of Mikayil Mikayilov, with contributions from production designer Mustafa Mustafayev, executive designer Tehran Babayev, and director Elnur Ismayilov. The chorus was prepared by Honoured Artist Sevil Hajiyeva, and choreography was provided by People’s Artist Madina Aliyeva and Honoured Artist Anar Mikayilov.
The production includes three different casts, with each premiere evening featuring different soloists in the roles of Turandot and Calaf, along with a different conductor. On October 24, Yusif Eyvazov, who also serves as the director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, performed the role of Calaf for the first time in Azerbaijan, although it is one of his signature roles. Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio starred as Turandot, with Italian conductor Beatrice Venezi leading the performance.
At a press conference before the premiere, Eyvazov described the production as a historic event, noting its significance in bringing ‘Turandot’ back to the Azerbaijani stage. He praised the new staging and highlighted the collaboration between international opera soloists and Azerbaijani performers. Stage director Mikayil Mikayilov emphasized the effort put into the production, expressing hope that audiences would appreciate and enjoy their work.
‘Turandot,’ one of Puccini’s most renowned operas, is based on Carlo Gozzi’s play and features a libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni. It premiered at Milan’s La Scala in 1926 and was first staged in Baku in 1928, marking the opera’s debut in the Soviet Union. Puccini began working on the opera in 1920 but passed away before completing it; its final section was finished by Franco Alfano. The narrative follows Princess Turandot, who presents her suitors with riddles, offering marriage to those who succeed and execution to those who fail. Prince Calaf ultimately wins her love by solving the riddles.