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Munich’s new Ballo in maschera has received much critical acclaim: ‘This production shows what a utopia opera can be’ (Abendzeitung). Ten years after stepping down as music director of the Bavarian State Opera, Zubin Mehta returned to Munich in March 2016 to celebrate his 80th birthday conducting Verdi’s masterpiece for the first time in a staged production. His cast features some of today’s finest Verdi singers: soprano Anja Harteros, singing Amelia for the first time and ‘filling every note with Verdian intensity’, tenor Piotr Beczala as a ‘visually and vocally dashing Riccardo’ and George Petean as an ‘exemplary’ Renato (Neue Musikzeitung).

At the heart of the action is a murderous guessing game: the Chinese Princess Turandot poses three puzzles to all applicants who stop for their hand. Who can not solve this, is made shorter by a head. Many noble candidates have already tried - and just as many have not survived. Even Prince Kalaf has fallen for the magic Turandots and faces the life-threatening task. But this time the cruel game takes a surprising turn and love triumphs.
The TURANDOT staging on this UHD Blu-ray was recorded in the amphitheater of Torre del Lago. The main characters are Rudy Park, Rebecca Lokar and Francesca Capelletti. Conductor of the orchestra is Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli.