Ridgefield to Screen TURANDOT

Puccini's grand spectacle of legendary China, Turandot, stars Nina Stemme, one of opera's greatest dramatic sopranos, who takes on the title role of the proud princess, and Tenor Marco Berti is Calàf, the unknown prince who must thaw her heart or die. Franco Zeffirelli's dazzling production is conducted by Paolo Carignani for The Metropolitan Opera. See this stunning production captured in HD on the big screen at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Monday, August 13th at 6:30pm, part of the Benchmark Senior Living at Ridgefield Crossings Classical Series with support from Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery, underwritten by Lori and John Berisford, Jeanne Cook, Liz and Steven Goldstone, & Sabina and Walter Slavin.

The setting is Peking, in the mythic past. Outside the Imperial Palace, a Mandarin reads an edict to the crowd: Any prince seeking to marry Princess Turandot must answer three riddles. If he fails, he will die. The most recent suitor, the Prince of Persia, is to be executed at the moon's rising. Among the onlookers are the slave girl Liù, her aged master, and the young Calàf, who recognizes the old man as his long-lost father, Timur, vanquished King of Tartary. Turandot is Puccini's final opera (unfinished at his death) and by far his most musically adventurous.

The Metropolitan Opera is a vibrant home for the most creative and talented singers, conductors, composers, musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers, and dancers from around the world. The Ridgefield Playhouse offers free tickets to The Metropolitan Opera in HD series to students 18 and younger as a way for parents to introduce their children to the arts. FREE tickets are also available to students 18 and younger for Benchmark Senior Living at Ridgefield Crossings Live in HD screenings of The Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre of London.

For tickets ($25 | Members & Seniors $20 | Students $15 | FREE for students 18 and under), call or visit the box office, 203-438-5795 or go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.