Six Minutes in the Temple of Heaven

Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli in Turandot.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

Birgit Nilsson as Turandot.

I was working on this year's edition of the Metropolitan Opera Preview and came across an example of Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli squaring off in Act II of the Puccini opera Turandot. This aria and following duet is some of the most punishing music in the Italian repertory but La Nilsson makes it look effortless. Clips are after the break.

Want more? Here's a superb Riddle Scene from the same artists recorded at the old Met in 1961.