Turandot – Say my name!

In the fifth episode of StageVibes, we explore Puccini’s TURANDOT – a story of power, fear of vulnerability and deadly trials. At its centre stands Princess Turandot, who keeps the world at a distance behind an icy façade that is only challenged by courage, love and sacrifice.

We speak with Ulm’s General Music Director Felix Bender about the musical and emotional demands TURANDOT places on a conductor. Prop master Bernd Bitter reveals why severed fingers suddenly appear on stage. Barbara Ochs offers insights into the work of the opera chorus – one of the great unsung forces behind this monumental work. And Uwe Mattes guides us through Puccini’s fascinating sound world, explaining its emotional impact and why this music still gets under our skin today.

Also joining the conversation: the StageVibes podcast team, sharing personal impressions, lively discussions and fresh perspectives on the story, the music and the big questions behind Puccini’s TURANDOT.

Tune in now and experience the vibes of Oper Köln.

Leo Knorpp, Maja Niepolt, Basia Noll, Nora Scheibler, Fatma Tanko

Anna Mangold (Oper.Stadt.Schule), Stephanie Sonnenschein (Head of  Oper.Stadt.Schule), Christine Sonntag (Sendeeinheit) and Sebastian Sonntag (Sendeeinheit)

Felix Bender (conductor), Bernd Bitter (head of props), Uwe Mattes (principal percussionist, Gürzenich Orchestra), Barbara Ochs (alto, Cologne Opera Chorus), Stephan Steinmetz (chief dramaturg) and the entire TURANDOT team at the Cologne Opera