Is there a better way to end the year than with the much-anticipated return of live opera to the Philippine stage? We think not.

Giacomo Puccini's final opera, Turandot, will be staged at the CCP Main Theatre, with a gala on December 9 and a matinee on December 11. Filipino fans of performing arts, and in particular live opera, are in for an enthralling experience with the local production's creative cast pulling out all the stops to produce a truly spectacular show. And whether you're already a fan of Puccini or not, you will not be able to stop yourself from feeling the deep emotions and feelings that stir in this weekend's shows—so is the nature of the universality of musical language.

Prince Ravivaddhana Monipong Sisowath - Assistant Director

The monumental opera comes alive on the Philippine stage through the minds and visions of its immensely talented creative team, led by Italian Director Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini and Assistant Director Prince Ravivaddhana Monipong Sisowath.

Related Story: Puccini's 'Turandot' Is Set To Wow Philippine Audiences This Month

Since 2010, Prince Ravi has been Artistic Consultant for Maestro Vincenzo, and had participated in staging many operas mainly in Turkey and Italy. Among these are Tosca, La Boheme, Lucia di Lammermoor, Madame Butterfly, Aida, Carmen, Turandot, and Sinan. He recently assisted the Maestro of the upcoming show in L'elisir d'amore of Gaetano Donizetti and Lucia di Lammermoor at the CCP in 2017 and 2020, respectively.

Rustan Group of Companies Chairman and CEO Zenaida Tantoco; Director, Set, and Costume Designer Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini; and Assistant Director Prince Ravivaddhana Monipong Sisowath

Related Story: 'Turandot' in Manila: Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini

With Turandot's show dates just around the corner, Metro.Style sat down with Assistant Director Prince Ravi to hear about the vision he and the Maestro had for the upcoming staging at the CCP, some of the challenges the creative cast encountered, and what he hopes audiences will walk away from the show feeling.

Below, read our interesting, lively with Prince Ravi below:

Metro.Style: What is your vision for this staging of Turandot?

Prince Ravi: A vision which is directed towards the young audience, in creating in them the desire to listen and watch opera performances thanks to the same feelings when I first attended an opera performance in my youth: bewildered by the music, enchanted by the sets and costumes and totally amazed by the voices.

Tell us more about the lighting, visuals, and staging decisions that you had to take into consideration in bringing this to the Filipino stage?

We took into account the challenge to put together the essence of Italian opera with Filipino taste and talent for performing arts. The ability to build sets and create costumes with the unique aesthetic of the Philippines for fabrics and putting colors together. The special participation of Giovanni Pirandello, who is not only the greatest grandson of Luigi Pirandello, Nobel Prize of Literature, but also a sensitive artist and painter, will probably contribute to make this production very special.

What are the biggest challenges in mounting this production?

We had to work intensely during more than three weeks here in Manila (after several months of preparation ahead) on mounting the opera scene after scene and then putting together soloists, choir, children's choir, dancers and extras... but the biggest challenge is always to please the audience and make our production the one to be remembered in the next years to come.

'Turandot' staging in Turkey

Related Story: Live Opera Makes Its Grand Return at the CCP with 'Turandot'

Do you still recall the first time you watched Turandot?

Yes, I was 17 and it was on television. It was the one of Franco Zeffirelli at the Metropolitan Opera of New York with Placido Domingo as Calaf. Smashing!

Some say that this is Puccini’s most “musically adventurous” opera, do you have thoughts on this?

For me, it is the most emotionally intense as Puccini died while writing it.. We were all particularly moved last 29th November during the rehearsals as it was the anniversary of the Maestro's passing away. Musically, as an Asian man, I really feel at ease, recognizing some songs that my Chinese nanny used to sing to me when I was a little boy. So, it is more a feeling of being tightly-knit with Italian opera that Turandot makes me feel...

What do you want to communicate with your version of Turandot?

The universality of musical language: from Italy to South-East Asia, we have the same reactions to the immense talent of genius like Puccini or Verdi and Donizetti. They make us thrill and cry, out of deep emotions and feelings. This is why we came to Manila: to share passion and love for beauty and communicate it to the audience.

Turandot is a project by presenters Cultural Center of the Philippines, Filipinas Opera Society Foundation Inc., and Rustan Group of Companies, with the Italian Embassy as major sponsor.

Prices for the tickets of Turandot are as follows:

Gala Night, December 9, 8:00 p.m. Orchestra Center (Php 6,000), Orchestra Sides (Php 5,000), Balcony I Center and Balcony I Sides (Php 2,500)

Matinee, December 11, 3:00 p.m. Orchestra Center (Php 4,000), Orchestra Sides (Php 3,000), Balcony I Center and Balcony I Sides (Php 1,500)

To inquire and purchase, contact any of the following:

Lulu Casas 09175708301; lgcasas@rgoc.com.ph

Maricar Alamodin 09175384508; esalamodin@rgoc.com.ph

Rustan’s Customer Service:

Rustan’s Makati - 8813-3739 Loc 280

Rustan’s Shangrila - 8633-4636 Loc 400

Rustan’s Alabang - 8850-5592

Rustan’s Gateway - 8931-2460

CCP Box Office 8832-3704

Ticketworld 8891-9999

SM Tickets 8470-2222; 0917-870-2222; customercare@smtickets.com