Teatro di San Carlo

Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida

Production of the Teatro San Carlo, 2024. Turandot can be considered Giacomo Puccini's masterpiece, being his last and unfinished opera, which tells the story of the beautiful and cruel Chinese princess Turandot, who subjects her suitors to a test consisting of solving three riddles, awaiting death if they are not able to do so.

Il mondo della luna (1777) is a sparkling comic opera by Joseph Haydn, with a witty libretto based on Carlo Goldoni’s play. In this award-winning production from the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, co-produced with Teatro Arriaga in Bilbao, visionary director Emilio Sagi crafts a whimsical journey that earned Best New Opera Production at the 2014 Teatro Campoamor Lyric Awards. Set in a world where imagination and deception collide, the story follows the gullible Buonafede, an old man tricked into believing he’s been transported to the moon. Goldoni’s sharp satire on human credulity meets Haydn’s elegant, playful score, full of creative flourishes and refined humor. Known as the father of the symphony and string quartet, Haydn’s operatic genius shines in this delightful fable, long overshadowed by his contemporaries but brought to vivid life in a production brimming with charm, humor, and lunar magic. Prepare for a journey where the moon feels closer than ever!

The 2022 Don Carlo at the Teatro di San Carlo, staged by Claus Guth, offers a contemporary, psychologically driven interpretation of Verdi's opera. Set in minimalist, stark environments, the production explores themes of power, betrayal, and inner conflict. The cast features Matthew Polenzani as Don Carlo and Ailyn Pérez as Elisabetta di Valois, both delivering compelling performances. Conducted by Juraj Valčuha, the production combines modern staging with the emotional depth of Verdi's score, providing a fresh perspective on the classic work.