On Friday, February 23rd at 7:30 and Sunday February 25th at 2:30, Knoxville Opera will present Puccini's breathtaking and beloved opera, Turandot. Everything about this opera is grand in size and, as such, requires the larger space provided by the Knoxville Civic Auditorium, where it will be performed. Turandot requires big voices to compliment the thickly orchestrated and romantic score, while the plot demands a large, colorful set, costumes and makeup.
Soprano, Othalie Graham, sings the role of Princess Turandot and tenor, Jonathan Burton, sings the role of the man who is in love with her, Prince Calaf. In this interview, we discuss the plot, their characters, and some historical information surrounding the opera's composition.