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Compelling Turandot as LA Opera imports Hockney's spectacular designs

Turandot
© LA Opera | Cory Weaver
Angela Meade (Turandot)
© LA Opera | Cory Weaver
Turandot
© LA Opera | Cory Weaver
Morris Robinson (Timur), Russell Thomas (Calaf) and Guanqun Yu (Liù)
© LA Opera | Cory Weaver
Turandot
© LA Opera | Cory Weaver
By Matthew Richard Martinez, 20 May 2024
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“Hockney's eye for perspective, angle, color and dramatic practicality is still a notable feature”
Reviewed at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles on 18 May 2024
Programme
Puccini, Turandot
Performers
LA Opera
James Conlon, Conductor
Garnett Bruce, Director
David Hockney, Set Designer
Ian Falconer, Costume Designer
Thomas J Munn, Lighting Designer
LA Opera Orchestra
LA Opera Chorus
Angela Meade, Turandot
Russell Thomas, Calaf
Guanqun Yu, Liù
Morris Robinson, Timur
Ashley Faatoalia, Emperor Altoum
Ryan Wolfe, Ping
Terrence Chin-Loy, Pang
Julius Ahn, Pong
Alan Williams, Mandarin
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Néstor Castiglione, 22nd November
Puccini's tale of bohemian love lives on at the Dorothy Chandler as LA Opera launches its 2025-26 season. 
****1
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Matthew Richard Martinez, 31st May
Quinn Kelsey shines as Verdi’s court jester as Tomer Zvulun's production opens in Los Angeles. 
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Mozart meets Gatsby in LA Opera’s new Così fan tutte
Laurence Vittes, 8th March
 Michael Cavanagh's sleek new production, designed by Erhard Rom and conducted by James Conlon, transforms the 18th-century opera into a Broadway musical, score by Mozart.
****1
Book of Mountains and Seas reaches the American Pacific
Katherine Syer, 10th April
Time is suspended in Huang Ruo and Basil Twist's meditative, 80-minute stagework, now receiving its West Coast premiere. 
****1
LA Opera’s new Traviata lacks fizz
Matthew Richard Martinez, 6th April
Shawna Lucey's production from San Francisco Opera misses the mark as it premieres to a packed Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. 
*1111
Frank's musical mural to Frida and Diego opens at LA Opera
Laurence Vittes, 18th November
Lorena Maza's vibrant production of Gabriela Lena Frank's 2021 opera about Frida Kahlo and her relationship with Diego Rivera reaches Los Angeles.
****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Alan WilliamsAngela MeadeAshley FaatoaliaDavid HockneyGarnett BruceGiacomo PucciniGuanqun YuIan FalconerJames ConlonJulius AhnLA OperaLA Opera ChorusLA Opera OrchestraMorris RobinsonRussell ThomasRyan WolfeTerrence Chin-LoyTurandot
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Matthew Richard Martinez
Matthew Richard Martinez
A professional conductor living in Costa Mesa, California, Matthew received Bachelor of Music and MFA degrees from University of California, Irvine. An avid sports fan, when he’s not conducting or listening to music, he can be found cheering for his hometown San Diego Padres.