Puccini’s ‘Turandot’ – Live from the Met on WHRO-FM

Tune in to WHRO-FM 90.3 this Saturday at 1 p.m. for a live broadcast of Puccini’s Turandot. Set in a mythical, ancient China, this monumental three-act grand opera is a fairy tale of extreme emotional contrasts, balancing savage cruelty with profound vulnerability.
The story follows the icy Princess Turandot, who refuses to marry. To avenge an ancestor who was betrayed and killed by a foreigner, she decrees that any prince seeking her hand must answer three riddles—or face execution. When the unknown Prince Calaf falls in love with her, he successfully solves the riddles and issues a counter-challenge: the princess must discover his hidden name before dawn.
Anna Pirozzi, widely recognized as the leading Italian dramatic soprano of her generation, makes a standout network debut in the notoriously demanding title role of the merciless princess. Critically acclaimed tenor Brian Jagde stars opposite her as Calaf, the prince determined to win Turandot’s heart. They are joined by Angel Blue as the loyal and humble servant Liù, and John Relyea as Calaf’s father, Timur, the exiled king of Tartary.
Maestro Oksana Lyniv will conduct the Met Orchestra and Chorus in Puccini’s spectacular and colorful score. Recognized worldwide for her remarkable precision, Lyniv makes history as the first Ukrainian conductor ever to lead a production at the Metropolitan Opera.
Join us Saturday at 1 p.m. on WHRO-FM or listen online for an afternoon of music, emotions, and destiny, live from the Met Opera.