The Metropolitan Opera Music Director Conducts First Puccini Opera Set to Open Oct. 3

Yannick Nézet-Séguin / Photo credit: Hans van der Woerd

Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin will conduct Turandot starring Christine Goerke 

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Metropolitan Opera’s Music Director, is set to conduct Turandot, a majestic and famed Puccini opera on Oct. 3—a first for Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin with the company. 

The Oct. 3 performance Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s conducting of Turandot will star Christine Goerke as the title princess, returning from her much-applauded run as Brünnhilde in last season’s renowned cycle of Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen. Starring alongside Goerke are Riccardo Massi and Yusif Eyvazov, sharing the role of the princess’s suitor and performing one of the most famous arias in all of opera, “Nessun dorma.”  

The kick-off of the Oct. 3 performance of Turandot is significant for more than just the starring roles and the debut of Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s first Puccini for the company, in fact, it sets in motion of whirlwind of other announcements, events, and exciting cast developments, too. 

This performance marks the return of Elenora Buratto’s return to the Met since the 2016 debut of her role as Norina in Don Pasquale. Further, this series includes a slew of renowned names dotting the conductor’s club as well as the star-studded lineup of performers. 

The performance of Turandot on Sunday, October 6, kicks off the first of new, exciting series of 16 Sunday matinees available throughout the 2019-2020 season—at the time of this publication, the Metropolitan Opera reported these Sunday afternoon performances are set to increase as we move into the 2020-2021 season.  

Following these dates, an exceptional lineup of conductors and performers will take the stage. On Oct. 23, Marco Armiliato will conduct the live performance of Turandot, accompanied by star Gabrielle Reyes singing the role of Liù. Armiliato will also conduct on Oct. 31. 

For those unable to see the live performances of Turandot, there are five additional, late performances set for April 2020 conducted by Carlo Rizzi, starring Nina Stemme, Marco Berti, and Hibla Gerzmava.  

Another exciting addition to the Turandot lineup includes the Saturday, Oct. 12 performance of Turandot will be transmitted to live movie theatres throughout the world as part of The Met: Live in HD Series. Over 2,200 movie theatres in more than 70 countries will participate in the Met’s Live in HD series, hosted by soprano Angel Blue, who stars as Bess in the Met’s new production of the Gershwin’s’ Porgy and Bess.

Additionally, the Turandot performances on October 3 and 9, as well as April 13 and 25,  will be broadcast live on Metropolitan Opera Radio on Sirius XM Channel 75. Further, the April 25 performance of Turandot can be found broadcasted over the Toll Brothers–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network.

For those hoping to view the October 3 and April 13 performances, they will be live streamed on the Met’s web site, metopera.org.