Organization

Singer

Soprano

Eva Marton

Turandot

Tenor

Plácido Domingo

Calaf

Leona Mitchell

Liù

Bass

Paul Plishka

Timur

Hugues Cuénod

The Emperor Altoum

Stage director

Franco Zeffirelli

Conductor

James Levine

Lighting designer

Gil Wechsler

Costume designer

Anna Anni

Dada Saligeri

Set designer

Choreographer

Chiang Ching

The Metropolitan Opera

Italian

New York City

United States

Metropolitan Opera House

Franco Zeffirelli’s sumptuous production of Puccini’s final opera has been a Met favorite ever since its 1987 premiere run, captured in this telecast. James Levine brings out all the color and drama of the composer’s most ambitious score, leading a stellar cast: Plácido Domingo is Calàf, the unknown prince, Eva Marton sings the title role of the icy princess, Leona Mitchell is Liù, the innocent slave girl, and Paul Plishka plays Timur, Calàf’s father. Veteran tenor Hugues Cuénod, at 85, sings the ancient Emperor Altoum, in his Met debut.

Production booklet

Further reading