Turandot act-II "Tre enigme...straniero ascolta" Puccini
BackA.Shafajinskaia sings a title role
act II
Within the walls of the Imperial Palace, the old Emperor, perched on a high throne, vainly asks Calà f to reconsider ("Un giuramento atroce"). Heralded by a chorus of children, Turandot enters to describe how her beautiful ancestor, Princess Lou-Ling, was abducted and killed by a conquering prince; in revenge, she has turned against men and determined that none shall ever possess her ("In questa reggia"). Facing Calà f, she poses her first question: What is born each night and dies each dawn? "Hope," Calà f answers, correctly. Unnerved, Turandot continues: What flickers red and warm like a flame, yet is not a flame? "Blood," Calà f replies after a moment's pause. Shaken, Turandot delivers the third riddle: What is like ice but burns? Tense silence prevails until Calà f triumphantly cries, "Turandot!" While the crowd expresses thanks, the princess vainly begs her father not to give her to the stranger. Hoping to win her love, Calà f offers Turandot a challenge of his own: if she can learn his name by dawn, he will forfeit his life.
About A.Shafajinskaia
Anna has emerged as one of the most important young dramatic sopranos of our time. Her debut in "TURANDOT" with WNO was called "A sensation" Rodney Milnes "The Times", "Opera" magazine and her Princess Turandot at The Royal Opera House/Covent Garden, being praised as "reminiscent of Callas" Matthew Connolly "The Times"; "She sings with great assurance and truly imperious quality that few achieve" - "Opera" magazine, London.
Anna has been an acclaimed guest at many of the world's opera companies including:
The Royal Opera House Covent Garden; Opera National de Paris (Bastille); Opera de Nice; Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona); The New National Theatre (Tokyo); Teatro Massimo (Palermo); Teatro Comunale (Florence); Torre del Lago Puccini's Festival; Deutsche Oper (Berlin); Oper Frankfurt; Semperoper in Dresden; New York City Opera; The Dallas Opera; Michigan Opera ( Detroit); Nederlandse Opera; The Amsterdam's Concertgebouw; The Mariinsky Theatre (St.Petersburg); The Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow); Finnish National Opera; Den Norske Opera (Oslo); Opera National de Montpellier; Royal Opera de Wallonie (Liege); Welsh National Opera; Florida Grand Opera (Miami); San Diego; New Orleans; Columbus; Nacionale Opera (Mexico City); Opera de Montreal; Opera Festival of New Jersey; Opera Ontario (Hamilton)...
Channel: Music
Uploaded: June 26, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Author: francotenelli
Length: 00:10:37
Rating: 4.71
Views: 26616
Tags: turandot opera puccini anna shafajinskaia ana soprano dramatic
Video Comments:
elleoneiram (November 17, 2008 at 8:55 pm)
gives me the chills, by the way
elleoneiram (November 17, 2008 at 8:53 pm)
I don't know, I think the costumes and everything are quite appropriately over the top. It's a pretty crazy opera.
borgru2197 (November 16, 2008 at 4:17 pm)
When great Dimitrova died, may her soul rest in calm, everyone (including myself) thought that Turandot died with her.
Here we have another black sea origin Diva clearly demonstrating that "blood-thirsty legendary princess" is not dead.
Listenning to such powerful voice is an extreme pleasure.
Here we have another black sea origin Diva clearly demonstrating that "blood-thirsty legendary princess" is not dead.
Listenning to such powerful voice is an extreme pleasure.
sam0xin (October 15, 2008 at 2:38 pm)
Very powerful, juicy, sexy voice ! I never heard Her before . .. and I'm amazed and shocked !
tigerstheword (September 15, 2008 at 6:50 pm)
She is glorious!! Brava Diva!
sqmontano (September 6, 2008 at 1:19 pm)
I love her voice!! so poweful, amazing; but her enunciation is poor
samala21 (July 29, 2008 at 11:23 pm)
she sings with such ease. her voice is completely free.
croscream (June 28, 2008 at 1:13 pm)
zijn er hier Nederlandsers die alle negers en moslims uit Nederland willen sturen? Voordat zij onze grote 2,7 duizend jaar oude westerse traditie vernietigen.
bobbby09 (June 21, 2008 at 9:05 pm)
First time read such idiotic comment as from [acariciamelanutria]it'obvious that you are jealous, ha...ha
acariciamelanutria (November 19, 2008 at 4:39 pm)
stupid queer!!! anyway, I forgive you