Last Updated on December 16, 2025
Puccini’s epic show Turandot returns to Covent Garden.
5.0 out of 5.0 starsPuccini’s Turandot, with its combination of myth, ritual and emotional extremity, suits dark evenings and the build-up to Christmas, when audiences seem especially ready for spectacle and intensity. Set in a fantastical ancient Peking, the opera unfolds with a story of ceremony, fear, and the possibility of love, moving swiftly between public violence and private vulnerability. At Covent Garden, it has become a seasonal constant, valued as much for its visual richness as for the impact of its music, and its return this year brings with it the familiar promise of colour, noise and unapologetic theatrical force.
The director Andrei Șerban’s vibrant production, first seen at Covent Garden in the 1980s and now part of the company’s repertory, continues to impress with its blend of comedic ritual, evocative imagery, and dramatic force. Designer Sally Jacobs’ bold visuals and Kate Flatt’s dynamic choreography bring a vivid physicality to this opera that feels both grand and visceral. For a full review of Turandot, do check Adrian’s feature from Spring 2025.
Șerban’s association with the company spans decades, and he still knows exactly how to grip an audience. It is unapologetically theatrical, full of ceremony, movement and visual excess. Drums thunder, crowds surge, executions are public and shocking, and moments of stillness feel all the more intense because of the clamour around them. This is not subtle Puccini, but it is thrilling Puccini, and at Christmas that feels entirely right.
At the centre of the opera is the icy Princess Turandot, whose riddles have claimed the lives of countless suitors. This season, she is sung across the run by Anna Netrebko, Anna Pirozzi and Maida Hundeling, all international star artists capable of delivering the steely power and vocal brilliance the role demands. Calaf, the reckless prince who dares to challenge her, is taken by Yusif Eyvazov, Arsen Soghomonyan and Roberto Alagna, guaranteeing that the famous Nessun Dorma will stop the show on more than one occasion.
One of the great pleasures of this revival lies in the strength of the supporting cast, particularly the contribution of the Jette Parker Artists. The scheme has long been one of the Royal Opera’s quiet triumphs, and Turandot gives these young singers real opportunities to shine. Roles such as the Mandarin, sung by Jette Parker artist Ossian Huskinson and the ministers Ping, Pang (sung by Jette Parker artist Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono) and Pong are often scene stealers, and here they are sung with flair, clarity and dramatic intelligence by artists who are very much on the rise. Their presence brings freshness and energy to a production that thrives on strong ensemble work.
Liù, the most human and vulnerable character in the opera, is another role that benefits from careful casting. Her music provides the emotional heart of the evening, and it is often the young singers who bring an especially direct, affecting quality to her sacrifice. It is moments like these that remind us that grand opera can still feel personal. Ex-Jette Parker artist, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, sings the role throughout this season’s run. A South African soprano who has won numerous awards, including the 2021 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition and the 2024 Herbert von Karajan Prize, she’s reprising a role she’s already performed to critical acclaim in 2023.
For those wondering whether Turandot works as Christmas entertainment, the answer is a resounding yes. It has spectacle, colour, a huge chorus, instantly recognisable music and a sense of occasion that suits a festive outing. It is dramatic without being demanding, visually arresting without requiring prior knowledge, and powerful enough to feel like a proper night out rather than a worthy obligation. For newcomers, it is an excellent first opera. For regulars, it remains a dependable seasonal pleasure.
Puccini did not live to finish Turandot, but what he left us is a work that continues to dazzle and move in equal measure. In this revival, with a strong cast, confident young artists and a production that knows precisely what it is doing, the Royal Opera House offers a winter experience that feels both traditional and alive. If you are looking for something to match the sparkle of the season, this would be a perfect place to start.
Turandot
Giacomo Puccini
Venue
Royal Opera House
Bow Street
Covent Garden
London WC2E 9DD
United Kingdom
Official link
https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/turandot-andrei-serban-dates
Turandot runs for approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, with two intervals.
Principal Casts for Turandot
15 December to 23 December 2025
Turandot
Anna Netrebko
Calaf
Yusif Eyvazov
Liù
Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha
Timur
Rafał Siwek
Conductor
Daniel Oren
6 January to 9 January 2026
Turandot
Maida Hundeling
Calaf
Arsen Soghomonyan
Liù
Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha
Timur
Rafał Siwek
Conductor
Daniel Oren
12 January to 4 February 2026
Turandot
Anna Pirozzi
Calaf
Roberto Alagna
Liù
Juliana Grigoryan
Timur
Vitalij Kowaljow
Conductor
Daniel Oren
Please check the Royal Ballet and Opera website for the most up-to-date information.
Leave a Reply