Sept. 18 – The Turandot premier was a real triumph, opening the opera season at the Royal Opera House in London. The masterpiece, staged on September 9, was conducted by Henrik Nánási and directed by Andrei Serban. Italian tenor Marco Berti starred in the role of Calaf, and received extremely positive reviews from the British press. “The Observer,” the Sunday supplement of The Guardian, saw Stephen Pritchard judge Marco Berti “superb.” “He – writes the British journalist and critic – is the embodiment of physical and vocal relentlessness, reinforced by the determination and surprising volume of his voice. I feared for his vocal cords – and the chandeliers of the room,” jokes Pritchard, who adds: “and his performance of the ‘Nessun Dorma,’ the longest and best known air in opera, makes it difficult to forget the one by Pavarotti as the two are made of the same talent and mold. Berti has a glorious sound. Go and listen for yourselves.”
