At the weekend, two classical productions will return to the repertoire of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet after a break of several years. Ballet "La Bayadère" by Ludwig Minkus will be shown again from March 11, while Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot" will be available from March 12.

The magnificent and impressive production of the ballet "La Bayadère" was created by the Choreographer Aivars Leimanis, Set Designer and Costume Designer Ināra Gauja. The leading roles on March 11 will be interpreted by Jūlija Brauere, Annija Kopštāle and Kārlis Cīrulis. The orchestra will be conducted by Farhads Stade.

The genius choreography by Marius Petipa has been winning over the hearts of the public for more than one hundred years. Classical dance portrays graceful Temple Dancer Nikiya– her love for the brave soldier Solor blossoms and perishes in the passions and games of the luxurious Eastern court. This is the first production of “La Bayadère” on the LNO stage. Its challenging choreography demands a high level of artistry, which only a few ballet companies are capable of. The following performance of “La Bayadère” will be on April 28th.

This production of Puccini’s last opera “Turandot”, staged at the LNO in 1973, has been renewed several times. The magnificent set and costumes by Edgars Vārdaunis take audiences to a mythical journey to the legendary times of China, while the wonderful music melts even the coldest hearts. Will there be such a brave man who will answer the three riddles of the beautiful and cold-hearted Princess Turandot? Everyone she outwits will be sentenced to death. But Prince Calaf’s love may turn out tronger...

Opera “Turandot” on March 12 will be conducted by Alberto Hold-Garrido. Maestro will be a first time guest at the Latvian National Opera. For many years maestro ALBERTO HOLD-GARRIDO has been one of the most popular opera conductors in Finland and Sweden. In addition to his career in Scandinavia maestro Hold-Garrido has also established his name in other parts of Europe, such as Austria, Germany, Portugal, Wales, Estonia, and other.

Title role in “Turandot” will be sung by Sandra Janušaite, the Lithuanian soprano, well known for the Latvian publicē. The role of Calaf will be interpreted by the South Korean tenor James Lee. He is the laureate of the International Singing Competition Masters of Lyrical Art – Valentin Teodorian (2012) in Bucharest and the Competizione dell’Opera 2013 in Linz. Singer’s repertoire includes the leading tenor roles: Turandot (Calaf), Aida (Radames), Carmen (Don José), Il Trovatore (Manrico), Tosca (Mario Cavaradossi), Samson et Dalila (Samson), Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton), and many other. He has sung on many stages in Graz, Tbilisi, Lodz, Cairo, Prague, Dortmund, Istanbul, Seoul, Luxor and Linz, among other.

This season “Turandot” will be shown also on April 1 and May 26.

Performance tickets are available at the box office of the Latvian National Opera, as well as online.