This January, Michael Fabiano reprises the role of Calaf in Puccini’s Turandot at the Wiener Staatsoper, following his acclaimed performances in Madrid in 2023. OperaWire lauded him, writing “International opera star, Michael Fabiano, had enormous success as Calaf. His pure, natural emission and powerful, potent voice make him ideal for this role. His voice sounds powerful, dark, and spinto; he does not need to manufacture the sound or push the voice to be heard.”

Claus Guth’s production transforms the opera into a grotesque parable, depicting a brutal bureaucratic system driven by its own ruthless logic. Princess Turandot’s terror state, rooted in her traumatic past, serves as both her shield and a manifestation of her inner conflict, ultimately paving the way for her transformation.

The exceptional cast includes Elena Pankratova as Turandot, Jörg Schneider as Altoum, Dan Paul Dumitrescu as Timur, Michael Fabiano as Calaf, Selene Zanetti as Liù, Leonardo Neiva as Mandarin, Martin Häßler as Ping, Carlos Osuna as Pang, and Hiroshi Amako as Pong. Carlo Rizzi conducts.

Performances are scheduled for January 6, 10, 13, and 17.

Photo: Diego Bendezu