05/06/2026
✨ Behind the Scenes: Semenchuk & Kunde Triumph in Les Arts' Turandot ✨
✨ A striking glimpse from backstage at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, where Giacomo Puccini's final masterpiece, Turandot, is bringing the operatic season to a monumental close. Caught in their stunning, dystopian costumes designed by Lluc Castells for Àlex Ollé's futuristic production, stars Gregory Kunde and Ekaterina Semenchuk pose behind the scenes.
✨ The production is a major vocal triumph: ✨
✨ Ekaterina Semenchuk takes on the formidable title role. While widely celebrated internationally as a dramatic mezzo-soprano, Semenchuk handles the treacherous, high-lying soprano demands of the Ice Princess with astonishing security. Her rich, dark-hued lower register adds a rare, psychological depth to the character, making her interpretation both terrifyingly powerful and vocally unique.
✨ Gregory Kunde commands the stage as Calaf. The veteran American tenor continues to defy time, delivering a performance defined by its fierce passion, remarkable stamina and ringing top notes. His rendition of the iconic aria "Nessun dorma" remains a thrilling highlight of the evening, showcasing the phrasing and dramatic intelligence that have defined his career.
✨ Under the precise baton of conductor Sir Mark Elder, the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana navigates Puccini's dense, colorful orchestration with cinematic brilliance. Paired with Ollé's innovative staging, this Turandot stands as a definitive highlight for Les Arts.
