What is born at night and dies by dawn? What is hot as flame, yet gives no light? What is the ice that gives off fire?
Turandot never asked them to come, yet they came. She gave them every reason to turn back, even the threat of death. Shrouded in mystery, riddles were her last defence. What would happen if anyone ever cracked her armour?
International director and choreographer Ann Yee creates a spectacular new Turandot for Australia’s national Opera Conference. Featuring monumental sets, immersive visuals and mesmerising dance, this is unmissable theatre. Yee draws the threads of the story — Turandot’s courage, her ancestor’s trauma, and another woman’s sacrificial love — into a powerful tale of strength and resilience. Puccini’s atmospheric music takes you to another world, traversing the emotional extremes of his largest ever choral piece and the electrifying top notes of the iconic aria ‘Nessun dorma’.
Two of Australia’s most exciting dramatic sopranos take on the title role: Rebecca Nash, fresh from the Metropolitan Opera of New York, and Anna-Louise Cole, following her triumph in the Ring Cycle. Acclaimed tenor Young Woo Kim returns to Australia to share the role of Calaf with audience favourites Diego Torre and Rosario La Spina, under the batons of Henrik Nánási, Nicholas Milton, Andrea Battistoni and Tahu Matheson.
Turandot captivates audiences with its fable-like story, extraordinary music and grand spectacle.
2hr 20min. Incl. 1 interval.
15th January, 2026
27th March, 2026
Complete access information for all Sydney Opera House theatres may be found here
There are a number of wheelchair and companion seating locations in all theatres. To book accessible seating contact Box Office on +61 2 9250 7777
GETTING TO THE VENUE:
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Sydney Opera House is a six-minute walk to Circular Quay which is regularly served by public buses, trains and ferries to Circular Quay.
BY BICYCLE: Bicycle parking is located beneath the Monumental Steps.
BY CAR: Wilson Parking owns and operates the public Sydney Opera House Car Park, which is located at 2 Macquarie Street (Northern end). The car park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, and has undercover access to the Sydney Opera House Lower Concourse.
Further information of getting to the Sydney Opera House can be found here.
Conductor: Henrik Nánási (15 Jan–10 Feb), Nicholas Milton (13–27 Feb), Andrea Battistoni (4–13 Mar), Tahu Matheson (16–27 Mar)
Director/ Choreographer: Ann Yee
Set Designer: Elizabeth Gadsby
Costume Designer: David Fleischer
Lighting Designer: Paul Jackson
Video Designer: Andrew Thomas Huang
Associate Choreographer: Tara Jade Samaya
Chinese Consultants: Prof Jing Han and Dr Xiaohuan Zhao
CAST
Turandot: Rebecca Nash (15 Jan–10 Feb), Anna-Louise Cole (13 Feb–27 Mar)
Calaf: Young Woo Kim (15 Jan–10 Feb), Diego Torre (13 Feb–16 Mar), Rosario La Spina (21–27 Mar)
Liù: Maria Teresa Leva (15 Jan–10 Feb), Jennifer Black (13 Feb–27 Mar)
Timur: Richard Anderson
The Administration: Luke Gabbedy (15 Jan–2 Feb), Andrew Moran (5 Feb–27 Mar), Michael Petruccelli (15 Jan–10 Feb), Virgilio Marino (13 Feb–27 Mar), John Longmuir (15 Jan–10 Feb), Iain Henderson (13 Feb–27 Mar)
Mandarin: Shane Lowrencev
Emperor: Gregory Brown
Handmaiden: Annabelle Chaffey, Leah Thomas
Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia Chorus
Opera Australia Children’s Chorus
Opera Australia Dancers
Turandot runs for 2hr 20min. Incl. 1 interval.
Turandot is at Sydney's Joan Sutherland Theatre | Sydney Opera House, which is located at Bennelong Point, Sydney, 2000.
Turandot tickets start at $84.
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