Baku:The premiere of Giacomo Puccini's opera 'Turandot' at the Heydar Aliyev Palace was a resounding success, marking the first performance of this opera in Azerbaijan in 98 years. The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre's new staging of the classic drew significant attention and praise.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Chilean tenor Diego Godoy, who performed the role of Calaf on the second and third nights of the premiere, shared his impressions in an interview. Godoy expressed his delight with the beauty of Baku and the hospitality of its people, emphasizing the welcoming nature of the opera theatre team.
Godoy's collaboration with Azerbaijani colleagues was highlighted as a key aspect of his experience. He recalled meeting Azerbaijani performers and Maestro Ayyub Guliyev previously in Moldova and France, which laid the groundwork for his involvement in the Baku production. Godoy praised the professionalism and skill of the Azerbaijani musicians, noting the strong tradition of musical education in the country.
The Azerbaijani staging of 'Turandot' was described by Godoy as a traditional production with modern elements, which met audience expectations. He commended the director Mikayil Mikayilov for incorporating meaningful details and praised the scenography and costumes that faithfully represented the original libretto while transporting the audience to ancient China.
Discussing his character Calaf, Godoy described the role as a symbol of heroism and expressed the significant responsibility it carries, particularly when performing the famous aria 'Nessun dorma.' He underscored the importance of international collaboration in opera, highlighting it as a universal art form and a cultural asset that transcends national borders.
On October 25, Godoy performed with Azerbaijani Honoured Artist Farida Mammadova as Turandot, under the direction of Maestro Ayyub Guliyev. On October 27, he shared the stage with Azerbaijani Honoured Artist Ilaha Afandiyeva, with Maestro Mustafa Mehmandarov conducting.