Reviews

Pucinni's TURANDOT
USA Reviews

Good Show Teatro Lirico!
"Puccini's final masterpiece 'Turandot' was given a grand presentation by the Teatro Lirico D'Europa Saturday evening. What a joy to hear it all unmarred by intrusive electronics! To have performers as professional as Teatro Liricos travel here to McCain strikes me as a blessing to be most grateful for."
Manhattan Mercury News
Ben Nyberg - Mar. 2000
(Perf. at McCain Auditorium, Manhattan , Kansas)

TURANDOT Explores the Poles of Passion
"Teatro Lirico D'Europa boasted a fine orchestra, a well coached chorus and strong voices from both the demanding principal roles and smaller secondary parts. All the singers acquitted themselves honorably starting with Leslie Morgan as Turandot. Roumen Doikov sang the prince with a robust tenor that rang true and clear. He drew bravos from the crowd for "Nessun Dorma," the opera's famous aria. Qilian Chen won the audience's heart as Liu. After the final chorus: "Gloria a te!" the audience rose to give the entire ensemble a warm ovation."
News Leader - Larry T. Collins - Mar. 2000
(Perf. at Hammons Perf. Arts Center , Springfield , MO)

TURANDOT Shows that Opera can be Exciting, Entertaining...
"A beautiful performance by talented actors captivated an entire hall full of viewers.The costumes were absolutely gorgeous. Since the story takes place in ancient Peking , the garments reflect that era with beautiful shades of gold, jade and crimson. The lighting effects added to the perfection of the costuming, causing their garb to fluctuate in hues, depending on the color they stepped into. The beautiful Chinese soprano, Qilian Chen, has an exquisite soprano voice, which combined with her beautiful facial and bodily expression, evoked several ovations, and on one particular occasion, brought tears to the eyes of yours truly."
The Southwest Standard
Bobbilynne Shackelford
(Performance at Hammons Performing Arts Center , Springfield , MO , Mar. 2000)

"For music lovers, it was a stellar weekend, for Saturday night's production of TURANDOT , the last opera written by G. Puccini, was magnificent. What a thrill to hear the full Teatro Lirico D'Europa orchestra accompany a cast of sixty singers! Chen's (Liu) two arias proved to be shining moments as she floated her pianissimo high notes impossibly above the orchestra. Leslie Morgan sang an excellent Princess with just the right degree of ice in her voice, while Roumen Doikov's glorious tenor gave the role of Calaf an extra dimension. His "Nessun dorma" was outstanding. The sets were beautifully done, costumes were lavish and the voices outstanding. They used no microphones....all the voices projected above the large orchestration."
Illinois Times - Ann Ker - Mar. 2000
(Perf. at Sangamon Auditorium-Springfield , IL)

TURANDOT Production Expertly Performed
"G. Puccini's final opera presented at the Sangamon Aud. by Teatro Lirico D'Europa embellishes the classic story of the ice princess thawed by a dedicated swain. Doikov expertly conveyed that Calaf is essentially a steamroller with a deep soul. The yearning conveyed by his tenor voice emphasized Calaf's unstoppable quest to win the princess and pierced through the orchestral and vocal accompaniment. Morgan's Turandot attained the right degree of hauteur, using her formidable voice to intimidate. Qilian Chen as Liu, the slave girl who loves Calaf...exquisitely sung portrayal foreshadowed her character's tragic fate. "Nessun dorma" is a terribly difficult piece, and happily Doikov did not disappoint. The sets were quite effective and colorful, as were the oriental costumes."
The State Journal-Register - Jacqueline Gerber
(Perf. at the Sangamon Auditorium, Springfield , Illinois , Mar. 2000)

TURANDOT generous with voices, emotions
"The Teatro Lirico D'Europa's touring production of Puccini's 'Turandot' had a generous display of voices and emotions. Roumen Doikov's Calaf at the head of the list. The Bulgarian tenor looks young and eager, phrases with musical sensitivity and flaunts terrific high notes. The others were firmly on the plus side. Chinese soprano Qilian Chen, a sophisticated vocalist who securely perched series of radiant high pianissimos...made a sympathetic stage personality. Avalee Beckman...hurled out the top tones like firebombs, which is always fun. She also had good musical instincts and theatrical imagination; she attempted characterization which is more than most Turandot's do. The orchestra played with skill, enthusiasm and confidence born of lots of experience of 'Turandot.'The chorus poured out quality sound that joined with the orchestra to create a solid musical superstructure for the performance. The high energy, young American conductor Joseph Illick was always there for his singers; both he and the players were attentive to the wonderful details of color and atmosphere in the scoring. The public got its money's worth. Beckmann and Doikov...were miles ahead of the last Met touring cast. The audience loved it. Boston has been more than a decade without big opera and uninhibited Italianate singing. Next season Teatro Lirico proposes longer runs for both 'Aida' and 'Nabucco.' If they do people will come.
BOSTON GLOBE - Richard Dyer - Mar. 2000
(Perf. at Emerson Majestic Theatre, Boston , Mass)

"In terms of sheer vocal display, Roumen Doikov as the fearless Calaf proved as daring as the character he portrays. Doikov belted out his part in a booming helden-tenor voice that soared assertively above orchestra and chorus. His voice was invariably solid and secure-even on the high B.The tragic figure of Liu found convincing expression in the delicate soprano of Qilian Chen. The China native's sweet, stoic delivery breathed a nobility of character into her slave-girl image. Especially pleasant was Chen's lovely decrescendo that allowed her exquisite B-flat at the end of "Signore ascolta!" to melt into thin air. There was no shortage of talent for the productions minor roles. The chorus was vocally engaging as well as dramatically sound. Scenic designer Valentine Topencharov squeezed the most from the troupes set and props-from the imposing basins outside the walls of the Imperial Palace (adorned with spiked, severed heads of Turandot's unsuccessful suitors to the colorful shrine within the palace itself.) Costume designer outfitted townspeople colorfully and effectively."
The Post Standard - David Abrahms - Mar. 2000
(Perf. at Civic Center, Syracuse , New York)

Lirico's Turandot is a grand evening in small setting
"The Teatro Lirico D'Europa proved Monday night that it is possible to produce an opera as big as Puccini's 'Turandot' at the Emerson Majestic Theatre. With savvy and heart this European based touring company directed by Giorgio Lalov did itself proud in the best American "let's put on a show" tradition. Both Monday and Tuesday night performances were sold out in advance. There were people at the ticket entrance holding signs asking to purchase extra tickets, and one audience member reported hearing an offer of $200. for one. Illick's orchestra played well, sometimes beautifully. Tenor Roumen Doikov gave the evening's finest performance as Calaf. His big sturdy voice grew in warmth throughout the opera...he didn't disappoint those who were in the audience mainly waiting for his hit tune, the aria, "Nessun dorma."Soprano Avalee Beckmann from Canada raised the roof-and peeled the paint-with a huge strident voice...and Chinese soprano Qilian Chen used intelligence and heavenly pianissimo...a performance of distinction. Lalov hopes to bring the company back to Boston next year. I'd get my tickets early if I were you."
BOSTON HERALD - T. J. Medrick- Mar. 2000
(Perf. at Emerson Majestic Theatre, Boston , MA)

"This company has been touring Europe for 14 years, giving thousands of performances with professional, grown up casts. Now on it's first American tour, TLD packed the Emerson Majestic with an audience hungry for old-fashioned, ungimmicky, pour your heart-out opera. Teatro Lirico delivered exactly what the audience wanted. Evocative sets filled the stage. The chorus was both vocally and dramatically impressive.The competent and enthusiastic musicians were led with both zest and musical imagination by gifted young Joseph Illick. Teatro Lirico's stage director, Giorgio Lalov who has sung at La Scala never left you in doubt about what was going on. Leslie Morgan who has sung the role with several regional opera companies and orchestras was an effective, neurotic Princess. The sturdy Doikov (Calaf) had a real tenor ring. The major crowd pleaser was Chinese Soprano Qilian Chen as the slave girl Liu. She acted with touching dignity and had more than a serviceable voice that was capable of scene-stealing high pianissimos. Teatro Lirico D'Europa promises to return to Boston next year with Verdi's 'Aida' and his rarely performed, utterly uninhibited third opera 'Nabucco.' People will be lining up early."
BOSTON PHOENIX - Lloyd Schwartz
March 2000
(Perf. at Emerson Majestic Theatre, Boston , MA)

"Tamara Kutsenko, who took the role of Turandot in the Teatro Lirico d'Europa production Wednesday at the Cerritos Center for the Perf. Arts handled it as persuasively as anyone.

Roumen Doikov sang Calaf with a bright, strong, Italianate tenor. Kenneithia Mitchell was a gentle. effective Liu. Conductor Krassimir Topolov kept the score moving briskly. The orchestra played with power."
Los Angeles Times - Chris Paslis, Feb. 2001
(Performance at Cerritos Center for Perf. Arts, CA)

Turandot provides a taste of real Italian culture
"The performance brought to life Puccini's beautiful music and the intriguing libretto. Tenor Roumen Doikov brought an almost athletic vigor to the role of Calaf and drew a standing ovation for his hearty rendering of 'Nessun dorma.' The best vocal performance may have been by Kenneithia Mitchell as Liu. Her voice doesn't cut through the air waves, it gently separates them. Director Giorgio Lalov conveys the magical message of transformation in 'Turandot.' His staging makes it clear that not only must Calaf conquer Turandot, he must allow Turandot to conquer him to find mutual love. It's interesting that the program notes quote Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth" to elaborate on the libretto's themes of transformation."
The Desert Sun - Bruce Fessier - Feb. 2001
(Performance at McCallum Theater, Palm Desert)

Puccini's TURANDOT

“Some super singers! Oh those featured singers! Russian soprano Irina Bozhedomova and Bulgarian tenor Roumen Doikov could knock your socks off with their voices leaving you drooling at every sparing note. Bozhedomova's voice easily captured attention and her combination with Doikov was shattering. Kenneithia Mitchell sings Liu with a mellifluous, finely etched voice. The audience gave the players a rousing reception.”
UTICA DISPATCH OBSERVER - Jonas Kover - Feb. 2002
(Performance at Stanley Perf. Arts Center, Utica, NY)

“The touring Teatro Lirico put on a solid, moving TURANDOT at Veterans Memorial Auditorium last night. Fans couldn't get enough of Roumen Doikov's soaring tenor. He got a huge ovation for his searing rendition of ‘Nessun Dorma,' the heroic aria. Real artistry came from a young American soprano, Kenneithia Mitchell, as Liu who gave us a fleshed out character and managed to blend tenderness and defiance. As a vocalist she was stunning. Mitchell proved a master of the sweet caress. Teatro Lirico is one of the few touring companies that dares, or can afford to put on large scale operas.”
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL - Channing Gray - Feb. 2002
(Performance at Veteran's Memorial Aud. - Providence, RI)

Turandot warms hearts of local opera buffs!
“Local opera buffs came out en masse Thursday to the Philharmonic Center . Teatro Lirico's full scale production's clever sets beautifully evoked the royal palace pavilion - the Forbidden City in Peking . With its orchestra of 50 musicians, chorus of more than 40 trained singers, and soloists that have already launched international careers, Teatro Lirico successfully interpreted the work's legendary Chinese characters. Puccini's masterpiece is known as a soprano-killer, with the role of Turandot as difficult as Wagner's Isolde. Russian soprano Irina Bozhedomova's penetrating voice evoked just the right balance of fire and ice that the role requires. As Calaf, tenor Roumen Doikov is a find. His rich, vibrant voice filled the hall, and his famous aria, “Nessun Dorma,” aroused cheers and bravos from the audience from the sheer beauty of his voice. Another performer who was a favorite with the audience was the American soprano, Kenneithia Mitchell, who played Liu. It is no wonder she has won so many scholarships and awards. A performance that was certainly above average for a touring company.”
NAPLES DAILY NEWS - Corinne Dunne - Feb. 2002
(Performance at Naples Philharmonic Center, Naples, FL)

Teatro Lirico Entertains a Packed House!
“The Charleston Concert Association presented Teatro Lirico D'Europa's production of G. Puccini's ‘Turandot' to a packed house on Thursday night. It is a feat itself to tour a fully staged production of Turandot' with an orchestra of 50, a 40-voice chorus and massive sets, not to mention providing singers with the physical stamina to meet the vocal demands of the lead roles. The Teatro Lirico D'Europa has put together a production that is professional, credible and entertaining. The Turandot, Irina Bozhedomova, has a trumpet-like voice that cut through the house with ease. Her “In questa reggia” filled the house with icy fury. Roumen Doikov, Calaf, has a full, dramatic tenor voice that excited as well as also carrying in all his quiet moments. Kenneithia Mitchell as Liu possesses a lovely lyric voice. The orchestra conducted by Krassimir Topolov proved quite up to the task and the chorus sounded fully professional. The sets were attractive and highly functional and the performance moves at a good pace thanks to artistic/stage director Giorgio Lalov.”
CHARLESTON POST AND COURIER - Jenni Johnson - Mar. 2002
(Performance at Galliard Auditorium, Charleston, SC)

“This is a very good production-even good to look at, efficient and smart. The orchestra glistened with color and the chorus resonated with power and bloodthirsty urgency. Doikov nailed “Nessun dorma,” threw his arms up in a victorious V, and brought down the house. As Calaf, he inhabits the role and is consistently believable. He's a generous and vivid singer. The 32 year old Russian soprano, Irina Bozhedomova, has a firm, focused, sometimes even blazing voice which the high tessitura of the title role demands. Liu was the young Korean soprano Su-Jin Lee, who can pull her big voice back into the most delicate pianissimo. She has an expressive face too.”
BOSTON PHOENIX - Lloyd Schwartz - Mar. 2002
(Performance at Majestic Theatre, Boston, MA)

It's no riddle why TURANDOT is a treat!
“Puccini's TURANDOT was the opera that introduced Teatro Lirico D'Europa to Boston two years ago. Once again the Teatro Lirico proved that it's got exactly the kind of voices-and the kind of nerve-that make this difficult to cast opera really sing. Conductor Krassimir Topolov led a musically passionate performance with company stalwart tenor Roumen Doikov on hand as the exiled Calaf and two most promising young sopranos as the women vying for his affections. As the royal riddler, Russian soprano, Irina Bozhedomova, displayed an attractive stage presence and sang with a bright, surprisingly girlish tone. Her voice projected easily. She vividly conveyed the character's pride, fear, and finally love through sensitive facial expressions. Doikov, of course, kept his head, and his splendid rendition of “Nessun dorma” brought down the house.”
BOSTON HERALD - T. J. Medrek - Mar. 2002
(Performance at Majestic Theatre - Boston, MA)

Russian Soprano lifts stellar TURANDOT
“Wednesday night's TURANDOT is the best performance the Teatro Lirico D'Europa has brought us so far, better even than the production of this same opera two years ago. Irina Bozhedomova (Turandot) has an expressive theater face and the soprano has a fascinating voice with a girlish timbre she can shoot through a magnifying glass so that high notes burst into flame. She sings with imagination. Liu, the American soprano, Kenneithia Mitchell, offered a compelling contrast to Bozhedomova's voice. It is ample, warm and vibrant and she has the ability to perch a soft high note with perfect poise. Best of all, she suffuses every phrase she sings with emotion. The audience adored her. Roumen Doikov rose to the occasion, acting with concern and conviction, and singing with power, breadth of phrase, and passion. He concluded “Nessun dorma” with a sweeping vocal flourish and wide-flung arms, and the audience went crazy! The handsome production was spruced up, and the staging is the most persuasive work company director Giorgio Lalov has given us to date. The splendid chorus could have walked away with the show if Doikov, Mitchell and Bozhedomova hadn't been there.”
BOSTON GLOBE - Richard Dyer - Mar. 2002
(Performance at Majestic Theatre, Boston, MA)

TURANDOT, another Great Catch for Portland Concert Association!
“The TURANDOT by Teatro Lirico D'Europa was one of the best touring shows brought to Merrill Auditorium… in terms of singing, staging and musical values. One doesn't usually find singers in a touring company that make the audience jump up and shout bravo but Teatro Lirico has found one in tenor Roumen Doikov who plays Prince Calaf. Soprano, Irina Bozhedomova was imposing as Princess Turandot but soprano, Su-Jin Lee, stole the show as the slave girl Liu. The sets were marvelous for a touring company. The orchestra was excellent in Puccini's difficult score. Merrill Auditorium was filled in spite of a sloppy spring snowstorm. The audience applauded individual arias and choruses and gave the company a long standing ovation at the final curtain.”
(Performance at Merrill Auditorium - Portland, ME)
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD - Christopher Hyde - Mar. 2002