Each year, the Swedish opera house Opera på Skäret holds auditions to find the very best soloists for the upcoming summer production. Around 500 to 600 applicants from all over the world usually audition. Now, the names of the outstanding singers who won this year’s audition are being revealed.
When the curtain rises this summer, the audience will meet the complex and multifaceted Princess Turandot performed by Polish soprano Lucyna Jarząbek, who will alternate the role with French soprano Léa Bianco Chinto. The brave Calaf, ready to challenge fate for the sake of love, will be played by American tenor Errin Duane Brooks and South Korean tenor James Lee. The role of Liù will be sung by Ukrainian soprano Kseniya Bakhritdinova-Kravchuk and Hungarian soprano Lilla Horti. The Swedish bass Staffan Liljas will take on the roles of Timur and A Mandarin, alongside South Korean bass Youngkug Jin. The roles of Ping, Pang, and Pong will be performed by Swedish baritone Anton Eriksson, English tenor Alexander Grove, and South Korean tenor Hwapyeong Gwon. The role of the emperor will be sung by Swedish tenors Thomas Bärlin and Samuel Karlberg.
The production of Turandot will be directed by Italian Lev Pugliese. This year, the Swedish Chamber Orchestra will perform in the orchestra pit, led by Italian conductor Lorenzo Coladonato. The set design is by Sven Östberg while costumes are designed by Magdalena Stenbeck. Stephanie Metzner from Switzerland is responsible for makeup and wig design, and Maria Ros for lighting design.
Turandot will feature two alternating casts, with separate premieres on Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27. Additional performances will take place on August 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 21, 23, and 24.
The opera will be performed in its original Italian, with subtitles available in both Swedish and English.