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Opera Reviews |
 TURANDOT April 2007 Must see I have seen this opera three times now this week. Yes, three times, and each performance was as spellbinding as the last. Ms. Gutierrez as Liu is magnificent. Her voice and her riveting, heartfelt performance was superb. Yu Qiang Dai was spellbinding. His voice so powerful and magnificent it is no surprise he has received wide recognition for his portrayal of Calaf. I hope that he will appear in another production at the Michigan Opera Theatre. Ann Shafjinskaia was on last night. A spectacular performance as the icey Turandot and what a dramatic soprano. Brava! The entire production was incredible. I could go on and on about the orchestra, costumes, sets, staging, Ping, Pang, Pong, and Timur; just amazing performances. The whole production was fabulous and a must-see for anyone on the fence about seeing the last show today.
Uneven production The Friday, April 27 production was impressive in many respects; however, Othalie Graham's Turandot was clearly sub-par. She obviously had trouble with the higher range and was at times grating to the ear.
$200 disappointment Well I am happy so many of you saw opening night, we saw the opera last night (April 27). Magnificent visuals, the supporting players outshone the stars. The principals were underwhelming, hardly a visual couple you would have expected to be in love. Horrible actors both. Nessum Dorma was mutilated and he held the final note for about half of a second. Such a $200 disappointment.
Great job! I'd been to the Michigan Opera about four years ago, and that was such a poor performance; I hardly had any expectations with Turandot. I was wrong! What a progress the theater made during these years! The chorus, the scenery, the whole ensemble were great, so professional, so opera! Now I liked the show much better than the celebrated Chicago Opera's shows that I've been to recently. I would also put Eglise Gutierrez on the first place, followed by the chorus and Kotchinian as Timur. But the rest were highly professional, to say the least, and altogether it was a splendid and remarkable show. Thank you, Michigan Opera!
Nessun Dorma left me breathless I escorted my mother-in-law to her first opera on opening night. She and I were transported by this phenomenal production. I've listened to Nessun Dorma performed by everyone from the great Caruso to Bono(!) and no one has managed to leave me breathless until I heard Yu Qiang Dai on Saturday. Bravissimo!
Lofty MOT has a valid and well earned reputation for stunning performances of Classic Opera, and TURANDOT was no exception. On the 79th anniversary of the premier, every element of this fabulous gift from Puccini was lifted to a new and lofty height. Not only were the performers 'On', but the audience responded with full appreciation of the brilliant cast, costuming sets, and OMG, THE SCORE!!! The orchestra and chorus, again, almost stole the show! DON'T MISS TURANDOT!!! It was transforming.
Kudos from Warren Mott H.S. Oh my God! I loved this opera! Turandot was my very first opera and I know it won't be the last! I'm planning to go to Romeo and Juliet! It was the best experience of my life! All of Warren Mott High School's Varsity Choir loved it!
Wonderful Turandot was wonderful - richly staged and beautifully sung. Eduardo Villa did a wonderful job with Nessun Dorma. Gutierrez was fabulous, but our orchestra and choruses deserve kudos as well. The director did an amazing job of managing all the groups on stage, and Willie Waters was amazing, as always!
We loved it My husband and I went to the opening night of Turandot to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. We loved the performance and the sets were beautiful - a wonderful experience all around!
Sunday Matinee I was completely astounded by this production! I attended the Sunday matinee and was totally blown away by the production. I have seen this production many times in many different opera houses including Dallas and I was very excited when I heard it was coming to Detroit. I was STUNNED by the singing. The dramatic soprano is a dying breed these days and there are no more "real" Turandots out there. I was amazed when Othalie Graham emerged from the pearl. How rare it is to see such a physically striking Turandot! Her high notes were effortless and her voice was huge and rang through the house. What a find!! I know we will hear a lot more from her in the future.
First time to the opera I LOVED TURANDOT!! I am 16 and it was my first time to an opera ever and I absolutely love it. I can not wait to see The Abduction from the Seraglio and Romeo and Juliet. I've already made plans to see them both!!
Magnificent We attended opening night and thought the opera was magnificent. It is especially suitable for new comers to the opera. The story line is easy to follow and the staging was very impressive. If as an opera goer you like crescendos, don't miss this performance! We are considering seeing it a second time.
Moving performance by Gutierrez Sunday's performance of Lui by Ms. Guiterrez put the entire audience "in the moment" and transported our souls. Thank you for that and the fabulous set and staging.
Real star was Gutierrez Just returned from the Sunday, 4/22/07, performance. The set was fabulous, the chorus phenomenal, but the real star was Ms. Gutierrez as Lui. Such a clear and beautiful voice and performance. Brava! Kudos also to Mr. Halili as Pong. A fine voice destined for larger roles and a real vitality on stage. As for the rest, not very strong. 
Not one to miss Yet another evening of memories to last a lifetime! The opera talk beforehand was funny and informative, as usual. I didn't think it was possible to top the set design and costuming of Aida, but this production did! It was a treat to hear Yu Qiang Dai after seeing him in Tosca last year. Anna Shafajinskaia's powerful performance was absolutely phenomenal; kudos to MOT for obtaining such an amazing singer! This is a MUST see production for opera buffs and new comers alike! Fabulous Everyone must go! The experience of opening night was magnificent! The singers, lighting, orchestra, costumes, sets, music, acting, atmosphere, etc., were fabulous! BRAVO! Read other comments from the 2006-07 season |
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Photos by John Grigaitis |
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