"Turandot" - a long-awaited premiere on the stage of the Heydar Aliyev Palace

The premiere of the grand performance "Turandot" took place on the stage of the Heydar Aliyev Palace. The company of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater presented a new production of Giacomo Puccini's famous opera to great acclaim. World-renowned tenor, People's Artist of Azerbaijan Yusif Eyvazov participated in the performance.

As reported by BAKU.WS, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the premiere.

The new "Turandot," which was performed in Azerbaijan for the first time in 98 years, was created specifically for the Baku stage.

The stage director of the performance is Mikail Mikailov, the production designer is Mustafa Mustafayev, the executive artist is Honored Cultural Worker Tehran Babayev, the assistant director is Elnur Ismayilov. Choirmaster and Honored Art Worker Sevil Hajiyeva worked on the choral part of the performance. The choreographers are People's Artist Medina Aliyeva and Honored Artist Anar Mikailov.

The performance features three different casts. On each of the three premiere evenings, the parts of Turandot and Calaf will be performed by different soloists, and different musicians will also be at the conductor's podium.

On October 24, the famous part of Calaf was performed by People's Artist of Azerbaijan Yusif Eyvazov — the director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, one of the most prominent Azerbaijani opera singers on the international stage. This role has become a signature part for Yusif Eyvazov. However, the famous tenor performed it in Azerbaijan for the first time. That same evening, the part of Turandot was performed by Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio, and Italian conductor Beatrice Venezi was at the conductor's podium.

At the press conference before the performance, Y. Eyvazov called the premiere of "Turandot" a historic event.

"98 years later, 'Turandot' is back on the Azerbaijani stage. This is a new production presented by stage director Mikail Mikailov together with production designer Mustafa Mustafayev at such a high level. Foreign opera soloists are performing alongside Azerbaijani artists," the People's Artist noted.

Stage director Mikail Mikailov added that the team had done an enormous amount of work. "We hope that the audience will appreciate our efforts and enjoy the performance. This is a very significant event that holds great value for our theatrical culture," he said.

"Turandot" is one of Giacomo Puccini's most famous operas. The three-act performance is based on the play of the same name by Carlo Gozzi. The libretto was written by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni. The premiere took place on April 25, 1926, at the La Scala theater in Milan under the direction of Arturo Toscanini.

The Baku audience first saw the opera in 1928 — just two years after its world premiere. The Baku production became the first "Turandot" in the Soviet Union.

Puccini worked on "Turandot" from the summer of 1920 until his death in 1924. The composer never managed to complete his famous work. The final part of the opera was completed by Franco Alfano based on Puccini's sketches.

The plot of the opera revolves around the love story of the cruel Princess Turandot and Prince Calaf. As in Gozzi's tale, Turandot tests all suitors by posing three riddles, with the condition that the one who solves them will win Turandot as his wife, while the one who answers incorrectly will be executed. After a series of trials, Calaf solves the riddles and wins Turandot, who finally yields to the power of feeling.

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