The Rape of Lucretia: week 2 - week 1
L'enfant et les sortilèges & Gianni Schicchi: week 4 - week 3 - week 2 - week 1
Turandot: week 4 - week 3 - week 2 - week 1
The Italian Girl in Algiers: week 4 - week 3 - week 2 - week 1
Fidelio: week 4 - week 3 - week 2 - week 1

Turandot - Week Two

Director and Choreographer Renaud Doucet gives notes to members of the Opera Company of Philadelphia Chorus.

Assistant stage manager Krista Gadarowski (right) stands off stage, ready to cue the members of the Opera Company of Philadelphia chorus for their entrance.

Soprano Ermonela Jaho returns to the Academy of Music stage after her heartbreaking appearance as Mimì in 2006’s La bohème.   In Turandot, she plays another of Puccini’s tragic characters, Liù, who slits her throat and gives her own life rather than reveal the name of her beloved Calaf.

A close up look at lotus flowers, some of the many props used in this production.

When Liù, soprano Ermonela Jaho (right), refuses to give Turandot Calaf’s name, she is tortured.  Director Renaud Doucet stands in to demonstrate this staging for the on-looking chorus.

Tenor Francesco Hong and soprano Francesca Patanè both make their Opera Company debuts as Calaf and Turandot.  Here they share a poignant moment together.