The Honolulu Museum of Art continues its Opera in Cinema series with Turandot (a production that HOT knows a thing or two about) this weekend!
Don’t miss it!
The last showing will air on Sunday, February 2, 2014, at 1:00pm at the Doris Duke Theatre.
Tag Archives: Turandot
HOT’s Turandot in the News!
If you did not have a subscription to the Star Advertiser online or read the Morning Edition of the paper, you might have missed the review from Hawaii Opera Theatre’s Turandot…
Well here you go!
Opening Night – Turandot
Susan Foster stars as Turandot in Hawaii Opera Theatre’s production of Puccini’s final masterpiece, Turandot. The ‘Ice Princess’ sat down recently with Steven Mark from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and this is the cover feature for the publication’s weekend highlights insert, TGIF.
You can check out the whole article online at Honolulu Pulse.
The All-Star cast includes Jay Hunter Morris debuting as Calaf and Janai Brugger revisiting her role as Liu, which she last performed by gracing the stage at the Metropolitan Opera over a year ago.
Buy your tickets to Turandot at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center Box Office for tonight’s show! For other dates call the HOT Box Office at (808)596-7858 of visit www.hawaiiopera.org!
Turandot is here!
HOT’s packed the house for tonight’s Opera for Everyone, which marks the Final Dress Rehearsal for the Cast and Production Team of Hawaii Opera Theatre’s production of Puccini’s final masterpiece, Turandot!
Featuring an All-Star cast lead by Susan Foster as Turandot, Jay Hunter Morris debuting as Calaf, and the award-winning Janai Brugger as Liu, this is one production that you do not want to miss!
Buy your tickets now – online at www.hawaiiopera.org or at (808) 596-7858!
Hawaii Opera Theatre’s ‘Opera for Everyone’ program
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jason M.A. Walter | 808-596-7372 ext. 211 | j_walter@hawaiiopera.org
Hawaii Opera Theatre’s ‘Opera for Everyone’ program
Honolulu, HI – The Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) Education Program will once more bring Opera for Everyone to the Blaisdell. Since 1991, HOT’s Opera for Everyone Program offers students from elementary through high school and college classes (age 24 and under) the opportunity to enjoy the live opera experience for $7 at the Final Dress Rehearsal of each production. Teachers and others working with Hawaii’s youth may reserve seating for the final full orchestra dress rehearsal. The last day to sign up for tickets is October 7, 2013.
The first Opera for Everyone of the 2013-2014 Opera season features Turandot and will be held on Wednesday, October 9, starting at 7pm. Turandot was composed by Giacomo Puccini, who died before its completion. It was first performed in 1926 after Franco Alfano used Puccini’s own notes and outlines to complete the opera. Famously on its opening night, Maestro Arturo Toscanini did not perform Alfano’s ending. During the performance, the conductor laid down his baton right after Liù’s final scene and addressed the audience, saying, “Here the Maestro died.”
Turandot is based upon Gozzi’s dramatic fairy-tale about a barbarian prince who journeys to an unknown city. There, he is reunited with his father and a faithful servant. He also encounters a cold but beautiful woman, the Princess Turandot, and decides to undertake his greatest challenge—winning her love… Should he fail, the price is death! This story also focuses on the questions of family loyalty, faithfulness to duty, openness to emotion, and honesty with oneself.
HOT’s Education team will also be conducting backstage tours on the morning of the final day of production October 15 (tours at 900a, 1000a, 1100a) for students of its School Residency Program. The HOT Residency program is available for elementary, middle and high schools. During the Residency Program, the HOT Education team leads students and teachers through the process of producing and performing an opera. Schools participating this year include Waikele Elementary, Pearl Highlands Elementary, and Blanche Pope Elementary.
Sung in Italian, with English language translations projected above the stage, HOT’s production of Turandot will be performed by an award-winning cast including Soprano Susan Foster, whose renowned performances as the title character in productions around the world, include stops at San Francisco Opera & Opera Australia. Grammy Award winning Tenor Jay Hunter Morris, whose vaunted performance as a late-addition to Wagner’s Ring Cycle on 8 days notice made him a rising star, returns to HOT, where he last performed in La boheme (2003). Mr. Morris will be making his debut as the courageous Calàf, who despite the odds against him, aspires to win the heart of his beloved Turandot.
To learn more about HOT’s Education Program, please contact Erik D. Haines, Director of Education, at e_haines@hawaiiopera.org. For tickets to Opera For Everyone, please contact Blythe Kelsey, Education Coordinator, at b_kelsey@hawaiiopera.org.
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Hawaii Opera Theatre presents Puccini’s final masterpiece, Turandot
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jason M.A. Walter | 808-596-7372 ext. 211 | j_walter@hawaiiopera.org
Hawaii Opera Theatre presents Puccini’s final masterpiece, Turandot
Honolulu, HI – The Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) 2013-2014 Opera Season opens in head-chopping fashion with Puccini’s final masterpiece, Turandot. This passionate tale of a princess whose cruelty merely veils her fear of love features some of the composer’s most stirring music, including the acclaimed “Nessun dorma” (None Shall Sleep).
Returning to lead the way is the team of Conductor Christopher Larkin and Stage Director Karen Tiller. Maestro Larkin and Tiller last worked together this past season and brought The Dialogues of the Carmelites to life.
HOT’s production will be performed by an award-winning cast including Soprano Susan Foster, whose renowned performances as the title character in productions around the world, including with San Francisco Opera & Opera Australia, have been described by Opera Today as “both the new and a new Turandot” for her delivery reveals a side of “The Ice Princess” that is “rarely revealed.”
Grammy Award winning Tenor Jay Hunter Morris, whose vaunted performance as a late-addition to Wagner’s Ring Cycle on 8 days notice made him a rising star, returns to HOT, where he last performed in La boheme (2003). Mr. Morris will be making his debut as the courageous Calàf, who despite the odds against him, aspires to win the heart of his beloved Turandot.
Bass Harold Wilson will make his HOT debut as Timur, Calàf’s long-lost father and Soprano Janai Brugger revisits her role as Liù, one that she debuted last October with the Metropolitan Opera (MET) in New York City.
Baritone Jonathan Beyer, Tenor Jon McVeigh, and Tenor Joseph Frank will sing the roles of Ping, Pang, and Pong. Local residents Erik D. Haines (The Mandarin) and Hilo native (The Mandarin) Kaweo Kanoho round out the cast.
Puccini died before the completion of Turandot, which was first performed in 1926 after Franco Alfano used Puccini’s own notes and outlines to complete the opera. Famously on its opening night, Maestro Arturo Toscanini did not perform Alfano’s ending. During the performance, the conductor laid down his baton right after Liù’s final scene and addressed the audience, saying, “Here the Maestro died.”
Turandot is based upon Gozzi’s dramatic fairy-tale about a barbarian prince who journeys to an unknown city. There, he is reunited with his father and a faithful servant. He also encounters a cold but beautiful woman, the Princess Turandot, and decides to undertake his greatest challenge—winning her love… Should he fail, the price is death! This story also focuses on the questions of family loyalty, faithfulness to duty, openness to emotion, and honesty with oneself.
Sung in Italian, with English language translations projected above the stage, Turandot can be enjoyed at performances in the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall on October 11, 13, & 15. Single tickets start at $29 and to purchase them, visit www.HawaiiOpera.org, or call the Box Office at 808-596-7858.
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HOT Group Packages
Hey there Opera Lovers!!! It’s time! It’s time! Time for the Season you’ve all been waiting for… it’s nearly Fall!
Though the weather feels like mostly Spring and Summer in Hawaii year-round, we love the Fall because it sparks the start of Opera Season. Aside from Family and Friends, what could be better to enjoy and accompany you year-round than Opera Season?
Well, how about we offer you the opportunity to take in both?
With Turandot fast approaching, Hawaii Opera Theatre is now offering 20% Group Discounts for every order of 10 or more tickets!
To Buy your tickets, call HOT’s Box Office at 596-7858 now and enjoy the company of your loved ones while watching our Company bring to life the Opera!
Diary of a Redneck Opera Zinger by Jay Hunter Morris Book Signing
Have you heard? This guy, Jay Hunter Morris, starring as Calaf in Hawaii Opera Theatre’s Turandot, published his book, Diary of a Redneck Opera Zinger, earlier this year!
This humorous collection of personal memoirs gives an intimate look into the Life
of the Grammy-winning tenor.
Jay’s own words about his journey:
“Disclaimer: Well, here’s my book! I like to think it’s equal parts auto-bio,
inspiration, and unrepentant potty humor. WARNING, if you’re sensitive and
precious, you probably won’t be amused. Turn back. But if on some rainy
afternoon you find yourself in need of a few giggles, I hope you’ll find some
here.”
HOT will be hosting a book signing with Jay Hunter Morris on Tuesday,
September 24, 2013 at The Arts at Mark’s Garage from 600p – 800p. To RSVP,
please contact Tracy Jefferson at t_jefferson@hawaiiopera.org or call (808) 596-
7372.
HOT Opera Ball – East Meets East
The Invitations have arrived and are making their way to a mailbox near you! Please join us for not only the HOTtest, but the “BEST PARTY IN TOWN!”
This year’s HOT Opera Ball, themed East Meets East playing off the start of Opera Season with Turandot and the conclusion with The Mikado, will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel in the Hawaii Ballroom. The Festivities include Cocktails & Silent Auction (600p), Dinner (730p), HOT Entertainment by Nueva Vida featuring Rocky Brown (900p), and Dancing through the Night (930p-1130p)!
Please RSVP by October 4, 2013 to Tracy Jefferson via email (t_jefferson@hawaiiopera.org) or by calling 808-596-7372 ext. 203.
Click here for more information and to purchase a table or tickets today!
Kicking Off the Opera Season in Style – Anne Namba Fashion Show
Hawaii Opera Theatre would like to welcome you to a very special event! Join us as we jump-start the Opera Season with this annual event on September 29, 2013, hosted at the Halekulani Ballroom, from 11a – 2p.
Renowned local designer Anne Namba will present a fashion show with a collection for men and women inspired by the 2013-2014 Opera Season and Opera Ball, accessorized by Anna Meng.
After the show, be the first to preview HOT’s production of Puccini’s Turandot, directed by Karen Tiller, and conducted by Christopher Larkin. This preview features stars Jay Hunter Morris (Calaf), Janai Brugger (Liu), and Kelly Markagraf (Ping), John McVeigh (Pang, and Joseph Frank (Pong)!
To RSVP call Tracy Jefferson at 596-7372 ext. 200, or email t_jefferson@hawaiiopera.org.