MEDIA RELEASE 13 November 2018 Puccini | Directed by | Conducted by Christian Badea | Tahu Matheson Frosty returns to rule the stage January 15 – March 30, 2019 | Theatre, Sydney House Starring | Amber Wagner | Andeka Gorrotxategi | Dragana Radakovic | Yonghoon Lee

As temperatures rise in Sydney over summer, audiences will be treated to a cool change when Graeme Murphy’s bold vision of the icy princess Turandot bursts back into the Joan Sutherland Theatre in mid January.

Murphy’s daring production for Puccini’s final opera is considered one of the ultimate classics in the Opera repertoire. Featuring the director’s own famous choreography, sculptural stagecraft and larger than life costumes, this renowned staging of Turandot has transformed this already powerful drama into a spectacular piece of theatre.

After stunning audiences with her role debut in Opera Australia’s 2018 digital production of , American powerhouse soprano Amber Wagner makes her triumphant return to Sydney to take on the role of the brutal Turandot. Described as having “a voice that, used for evil, could bring down an army” (Sydney Morning Herald), Wagner is the perfect fit to play the impervious princess, and will be matched by Serbian soprano Dragana Radakovic who played the title role on Opera Australia’s Harbour stage in 2016 to great acclaim.

Wagner and Radakovic will be joined on stage by two equally talented singers sharing the role of Turandot’s suitor, Calàf – the brilliant Spanish Andeka Gorrotxategi and international Korean sensation Yonghoon Lee. Singing one of the most recognised tenor arias of all time – “Nessun dorma” which was popularised by the late great at the 1990 Football World Cup, Gorrotxategi and Lee will demonstrate why this powerful operatic showpiece has become such a global sensation.

Romanian-American Maestro Christian Badea, a favourite at The Met in New York, having conducted there more than 160 times, returns to Australia to unleash Puccini’s sensational score. Sharing the conductor’s baton with Badea is Opera Australia’s own Tahu Matheson, who will close the season.

A fantasy opera of poetry and myth, Turandot is set in an exotic world where fear and love go hand in hand and death is always just around the corner. Puccini buffs and first-time operagoers alike will be transported to another world, captivated by Turandot’s powerful score, mesmerising staging and captivating story. This is a must-see opera, guaranteed to impress.

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Creatives Performance information Conductor Christian Badea (Jan 15–Feb 16), Tahu Evenings at 7.30pm Matheson (Feb 20–Mar 30) January 15, 18, 24, 29; February 1, 4, 7, 13, 16, 20, Director & Choreographer Graeme Murphy 23, 27; March 1, 5, 8, 12, 16, 19, 23, 27 Revival Director Kim Walker Saturday Matinees at 1.00pm February 9, March 30 Set Designer Kristian Frederikson

Lighting Designer John Drummond Montgomery Running time Assistant Director Matthew Barclay Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including one interval. Cast Turandot Amber Wagner (Jan 15-16 Feb), Dragana Performed in Italian with English and Simplified Radakovic (Feb 20-Mar 30) Chinese surtitles. Calaf Andeka Gorrotxategi (Jan 15–Feb 1, Feb 27– Mar 30), Yonghoon Lee (Feb 4–23) Liù Mariana Hong Bookings Timur Richard Anderson Adult tickets from $47 (fees may apply) Ping Christopher Hillier Group and concession prices available for most Pang Virgilio Marino performances. Pong John Longmuir Student Rush available for most performances: $50 Emperor Graeme Macfarlane (fees may apply) Mandarin Andrew Moran Opera Australia Box Office (02) 9318 8200

www.opera.org.au Opera Australia Chorus

Opera Australia Orchestra Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Children’s Choir

Media enquiries Madeleine Konstan | Publicist 02 9318 8242 | 0413 933 544 [email protected]