Arizona Opera ~ Phoenix, Arizona – Back in November, I wrote about our first wonderful exposure to Arizona Opera, and of my love of opera as a child growing up in rural Michigan.

It is now January, and we found ourselves invited back to witness Calaf literally putting his head on the line as he seeks to woo the Princess Turandot’s hand in marriage by answering three previously unanswerable questions in Puccini’s famous opera Turandot.

Arizona Opera’s staging, lighting, and costuming were stunning to behold.

Further, I was once again surprised with the quality of the vocal talent.  My only misgiving with the vocal performances was actually feeling a little sorry for tenor Antonio Nagore having to perform Luciano Pavarotti’s signature aria.

Nagore’s passionate and lyric voice easily had me captivated as he opened the third act with Turandot’s famous aria, Nussen Dorma.  However, when he reached the soaring high-notes at the end of the aria, Nagore opted for very short touches on the high notes “vincerò, vincerò, vincerò!”

If I’m completely honest with you, I was a little disappointed.  But, as I said, who can hang with Pavarotti on this aria.  No one, in my humble opinion.  In fact, I once made the ridiculous statement that no one should be allowed to sing Nessun Dorma for a decade or two.  But hey, I’m a massive Pavarotti fan.

So, Mr. Nagore, you have a beautiful voice.  I agree that you have “the legato of Gedda, and the power of Domingo”.  Truth be told, neither Gedda or Domingo can match Pavarotti on this aria either.  I loved your overall performance and will look forward to enjoying your meaty, yet velvety-smooth lyric stylings again in the future.

Anyway, back to my story.  🙂

What a wonderful evening.  We first enjoyed a fine dinner rotating high above Phoenix in the Hyatt Regency’s Compass Arizona Grill, and then topped it off with Arizona Opera and Puccini’s Turandot.

It just doesn’t get much better than this.

Arizona Opera still has two more performances to share in their current season:  Verdi’s Otello & Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio.

If you would like to attend, you had better get your tickets now.  Both of the performances that we visited were sold out!

Disclosure:  our dazzling night of opera was provided by the very cool folks at Arizona Opera. ~ Thank You! ~ Photographs were also provided by Arizona Opera.