"Puccini truly hit upon the most important secret of writing musical drama. […] The key to this secret is the psychological question of how much music, drama and theatre can be rationed out in order to ensure the creation of unadulterated feelings of satisfaction in the viewer and listener. […] Above all, one must not dole out too much of one or the other, nor too little,” wrote Géza Csáth in the early 20th century periodical Nyugat. Puccini sensed these proportions perfectly, and it is as a consequence that his operas are among the most frequently performed worldwide. Csáth's words still apply to the composer today: the public wants him. Fulfilling this demand, the Metropolitan Opera has selected three works by Puccini among the performances to be broadcast in HD quality to tens of thousands of opera-lovers this season.
In Franco Zeffirelli's stunningly spectacular production, the role of the proud princess of legendary China is taken by Swedish dramatic soprano Nina Stemme. Interestingly, though known as one of the greatest Wagnerian singers today, Stemme added Puccini heroines to her repertoire only at a comparatively late juncture a few years ago. The role of the unknown prince who risks his life to solve riddles is taken by Marco Berti, who previously sang the part to great success at the New York opera house in 2012. In the role of Liù, the slave girl whose love for the prince ends in suicide, is the Romanian singer Anita Hartig, who already has a fantastic career at the Metropolitan behind her. The prince's father Timur is played by the wonderful Ukrainian bass Alexander Tsymbalyuk.
For the conductor Paolo Carignani, the musical language of Puccini is like a native tongue. Although he has conducted only a small number of performances so far, these have earned him glowing references.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest