Royal Opera House brings Turandot to cinema screens across Spain and beyond
Royal Opera House is delivering a live, satellitecast transmission of Puccini’s Turandot this Wednesday, inviting opera lovers to witness a grand performance from the comfort of local venues. The company emphasizes that this broadcast is a global event, extending beyond the United Kingdom to reach audiences in many nations via live satellite feed.
In the Alicante province, a network of cinemas will screen the production. Kinepolis Plaza Mar in Alicante, Cinema Roma in L’Alfàs del Pi, Abc in Elche, and MFIs in Torrevieja, Finestrat, and Ondara will host screenings. Across Spain, more than 100 cinemas are participating to carry this classic staging by Andrei Serban. The broadcast is part of a wider international rollout that includes screenings in countries from the United Kingdom to New Zealand, illustrating the work’s global appeal.
The 1984 staging by Andrei Serban remains a reference point in contemporary opera production. Its design draws on Chinese and Italian theatrical traditions to evoke a mythic, ancient China filled with vibrant color, movement, and drama. The Royal Opera House stage is renowned for its visual impact, and this production has been met with excitement and strong advance ticket sales for the broadcast day, underscoring how audiences connect with a revisit to this iconic interpretation.
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This Turandot score by Puccini is celebrated for its rich musical landscape, highlighted by the instantly recognizable aria Nessun dorma. The live broadcast promises an evening filled with soaring arias, choral textures, and dramatic moments that linger in memory long after the curtain falls.
For the live transmission, the Royal Opera is joined by a distinguished cast with Italian soprano Anna Pirozzi featuring as Princess Turandot, alongside Yonghoon Lee portraying Calaf. Soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha takes on Liù, and Vitalij Kowaljow appears as Timur. The performance brings together the Royal Opera House Orchestra and Choir, delivering the full texture of this operatic masterpiece.
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The plot unfolds within Princess Turandot’s palace, where the seemingly unsolvable riddles of visiting suitors lead to deadly outcomes. A mysterious prince finally answers correctly, altering the balance of power and testing the limits of love and endurance. The central question remains: can true affection prevail when lives hang in the balance?
Spanish subtitles accompany the Italian lyricism, and the total running time extends to about three hours and twenty minutes, including two intermissions. The broadcast is complemented by exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and insights into the rehearsal process. Distribution is managed by Versión Digital, with the screening schedule in Spain set for 20:30 local time. The event is designed to offer a comprehensive experience that blends performance with historical context and artistic craft, making it accessible to a broad audience of opera fans and newcomers alike.