In conducting his first full-length opera in concert with the Minnesota Orchestra, music director Thomas Søndergård has pulled off a stunner, with fireworks singing from not only a terrific host of soloists but also the wonderful Minnesota Chorale and Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs. The performance of Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot,” set to a libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni, ravishes with its musical delights, and the story comes through even without sets, costumes, and staging.
In a fully staged opera production, the musicians are often hidden away in the pit, and even the chorus sometimes ends up behind the wings, leaving the main playing area for the lead singers. With Minnesota Orchestra’s concert version of “Turandot,” the instrumentalists, choral singers and soloist singers all share their stage together. The format in effect puts the music center stage, which is probably for the best with this particular opera.
First premiered in 1926, “Turandot” is set in China, and centers on a beautiful princess who will only marry a suitor of noble birth who can solve three riddles. If they try and fail, they face execution. She meets her match with Prince Calaf, the son of deposed King Timur, who falls in love with her at first sight.
In creating the music, Puccini borrowed heavily from Chinese music that he had researched and appropriated into his own style. The opera employs caricature character names like Ping, Pang and Pong and uses flourishes in the music that if not actually Chinese sound like European ideas of what Chinese music sounds like. On top of that, the opera has historically employed racist makeup and costumes.
The concert version lessens the cringe factor of Puccini’s Orientalist tendencies. With no costumes or makeup, the chances of yellow face are thankfully eradicated. The music itself contains appropriative leanings throughout the score, yet without the trappings of garish costume choices, the Asian influence in Puccini’s music can be understood as a kind of appreciation.
The choral singers in the concert pull of a commendable performance. From their first moment they command the hall with a formidable sound, and throughout the evening they add a richness to the music. In one shocking moment at the climax of the story, they practically scream, creating an astoundingly dramatic moment.
Having Christine Goerke in the Twin Cities to play the title role is a treat. She played the role at the Metropolitan Opera, and knows the character well and even without blocking is able to act each moment with her facial expressions and gestures. Her Wagnerian voice, meanwhile, is unstoppable. It’s a full-throttle wonder, tapping every resonator available and piercing through the sound of the full orchestra and chorus with angelic power.
Mané Galoyan is a replacement performer, announced as stepping into the role of Liu, the servant of Timur who secretly loves Calaf, less than two weeks ago. You wouldn’t know she was added to the cast so recently, however. Her ethereal voice made a strong impression Thursday evening, when the audience erupted after her aria in the first act.
As Calaf, Limmie Pulliam employed a music stand — which is a common practice for a vocal soloist in a concert setting. However, because Goerke performed off-book and put a lot of acting into her performance, sometimes their interactions weren’t as theatrical than if they had both been singing without sheet music. Musically, they did find a lovely sound together, and Pulliam’s performance of the famous “Nessun Dorma” aria in the third act soared with emotion.
As for the orchestra itself, they triumphed performing not as accompaniment to the singing, but as a full partner in bringing the opera score to its full musical life.
Søndergård Conducts Puccini’s Turandot
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3
Where: Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.
Tickets: $59-$140
Accessibility: minnesotaorchestra.org/plan-your-visit/accessibility
Capsule: Opera star Christine Goerke mesmerizes as “Turandot” in a production with The Minnesota Orchestra, the Minnesota Chorale, Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs, and other guest singers, conducted by Thomas Søndergård.
Info/tickets: Minnesotaorchestra.org
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