Puccini Saved The Best For Last- TURANDOT Opens 12/5

An icy princess is terrified of love. A mysterious prince solves three riddles and melts her heart while breaking another's. Love triumphs, but it's complicated. Starring Amber Wagner, Stefano La Colla, Maria Agresta/Janai Brugger

Turandot (1926), the final work of Giacomo Puccini's career, showcases the composer's magnificent melodic outpourings and reveals Puccini at his peak as a creator of exotically beautiful orchestration.

This is truly Grand Opera -- the scale and spectacle of Turandot is genuinely dazzling...and also accessible.. Pomp and pageantry in ancient Beijing as imagined by the brilliant Italian composer Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924).. Personal turmoil, secret suffering, and impassioned determination drive the plot, with revelations of ancestral trauma and unrequited love.

"Nessun dorma" -- probably the world's most famous tenor aria -- comes in the final act of Turandot. Worth the wait!

Lyric's best-in-class cast -- American soprano and Ryan Opera Center alumna Amber Wagner (Turandot), Italian tenor Stefano La Colla* (Calaf), Italian soprano Maria Agresta* (Liù - December), American soprano and Chicago native Janai Brugger* (Liù - January), Italian bass Andrea Silvestrelli (Timur), American baritone Zachary Nelson (Ping), Filipino-American tenor and Ryan Opera Center alumnus Rodell Rosel (Pang), and American tenor Keith Jameson (Pong). *Lyric debuts

A vivid fantasy of long-ago China, where the fierce Princess Turandot poses three riddles to any prince who dares to court her, and commands the death of all who fail. When an unknown prince triumphs, the prospect of marriage strikes terror in Turandot's heart. Ever the gentleman, he offers her an out -- but only if she can guess his name. The slave Liù loves Prince Calaf and serves his father Timur, but fiercely guards the secret of his name. What will it take to melt Turandot's resistance?

Turandot is perfect to share with nearly all ages. Projected English texts above the stage tell the story, and the opulent costumes and sets, along with the melodic sweep of the musical storytelling, will keep everyone's attention engaged.

Give the gift of an unforgettable opera experience this holiday season -- to your loved ones and yourself! The shared memories will last long after the final curtain.

Most family-friendly piece this season -- call 312-827-5600 to order specially priced $20-$40 seats for children.

Giacomo Puccini's earlier big-hit operas include La Bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly, along with La fanciulla del West, Manon Lescaut, and his trio of one-acts: Il tabarro, Suor Angelica, and Gianni Schicchi.

Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric's music director, and by Robert Tweten (January 27).

Expanded 60-member Lyric Opera Chorus prepared by Michael Black, Lyric's chorus master.

New-to-Chicago Production directed by Rob Kearley* with set and costume designs by Allen Charles Klein* and lighting by Chris Maravich. August Tye is movement director. *Lyric debuts

10 Performances including four matinees Tuesday, December 5 through Saturday, January 27 at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago.

Performances start promptly at 2:00pm and 7:30pm, and doors open to the Rice Grand Foyer and Opera Club two hours before curtain.

30-minute preview talk about the opera before every performance -- Come to the theater one hour before the curtain rises for a free pre-opera talk about the composer, the themes within the music and story, and overall production.

Turandot lasts approximately 2 hours 50 minutes including two 25-minute intermissions.

Sung in Italian with projected English translations above the stage.

Puccini researched Chinese music and incorporated an authentic folk melody into his score, which is sung by the children's chorus in Act One.

The composer died before finishing the final act of Turandot. Composer Franco Alfano finished the score, which had its world premiere in 1926 at La Scala in Milan. At the premiere, conductor Arturo Toscanini turned to the audience during the final act and said, "Here the master laid down his pen."

Bet you didn't know. ..the composer's full name was Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini.

Possibly surprising trivia about the composer: Puccini loved fast boats, fast cars, playing poker, duck hunting, and women...not necessarily in that order.

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The December 5 opening-night performance of Turandot can be heard live locally on 98.7WFMT and globally on wfmt.com, beginning at 7:15pm.

For more information and to order tickets, visit lyricopera.org/Turandot or call 312-827-5600.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's mission is to express and promote the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great opera. Lyric exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to Chicago and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form.

Founded in 1954, Lyric is dedicated to producing and performing consistently thrilling, entertaining, and thought-provoking opera with a balanced repertoire of core classics, lesser-known masterpieces, and new works; to creating an innovative and wide-ranging program of community engagement and educational activities; and to developing exceptional emerging operatic talent.

Under the leadership of general director Anthony Freud, music director Sir Andrew Davis, and creative consultant Renée Fleming, Lyric strives to become The Great North American Opera Company for the 21st century: a globally significant arts organization embodying the core values of excellence, relevance, and fiscal responsibility.

To learn more about Lyric's new season, go to lyricopera.org. You can also join the conversation with @LyricOpera on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. #Lyric1718 #LongLivePassion

Lyric Opera presentation of Puccini's Turandot generously made possible by Robert S. and Susan E. Morrison and PowerSharesQQQ by Invesco.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago Broadcasts are generously sponsored by The Richard P. and Susan Kiphart Family, The Matthew and Kay Bucksbaum Family, and The John and Jacolyn Bucksbaum Foundation.

Production owned by Lyric Opera of Chicago, originally created by Bliss Hebert and Allen Charles Klein for Florida Grand Opera, Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and San Francisco Opera.