Brooklynites contribute to magical `Turandot’ at Sarasota Opera
After receiving postcards from the Sarasota Opera for many years, we finally got to this Florida oasis on Friday, March 15, when we saw “Turandot.”
The sure and steady beat of Maestro and Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi indicated from the start that everything Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) strived for in this, his final opera, was going to happen.
Dramatic soprano Brenda Harris was Princess Turandot, out to avenge her murdered and defiled ancient ancestor by decapitating her potential suitors who fail her test of three riddles. (Hope, Blood and Turandot). Ms. Harris’s singing of the phrase “Straniere” and the powerhouse aria “In Questa Reggia” evoked memories of the great Turandots of the past. In her duets and the riddle scene, she was every bit a match for her umpteenth suitor Calaf, and her “meltdown” truly added to the “love conquers all” message.
Calaf was sung by Scott Piper, who had a stentorian tenor voice with a darkish hue that thrilled. His singing of “Non Piangere Liu” was touching, and his duets with Ms. Harris shook the rafters. The famed aria “Nessun Dorma” so beautifully sung evoked cheers.