As the Teatro Real de Madrid closes its 2022-23 season, the company is set to present a new production of “Turandot” with three casts that include some of the greatest interpreters of the roles. Among the cast will be Ewa Płonka, who returns to Madrid a year after her debut.

Płonka has become one of the leading dramatic sopranos of her generation and made her debut in the title role of Puccini’s last opera at the Oper im Steinbruch. Now she sings her second “Turandot” in Madrid after being called at the last minute following performances of “Nabucco” in Dresden.

Płonka told OperaWire, “I’m honored to be asked to join the family of Teatro Real Madrid and sing the title role of Turandot! I found out about this opportunity the day before I was called for rehearsals, I was then in Dresden wrapping up production of ‘Nabucco.'”

The production marks her second with the Teatro Real and she noted, “My debut at TR was exactly a year ago, when I was invited to replace a colleague in the production of ‘Nabucco‘ as Abigaille, which happened right at the same time when I was doing the same role in Arena Di Verona (where I debuted the role with no rehearsals and in front of Rai5! It’s all documented). Since then I’ve sung four productions of ‘Nabucco.'”

Regarding her second “Turandot,” Płonka added, “I’m thrilled to be able to share it with Madrid’s enthusiastic audience in famous production by Robert Wilson under the baton of incredible Nicola Luisotti! I wanted to work with Maestro Luisotti for a very long time and now we finally meet, a dream come true!”

For those not in Madrid, Płonka told OperaWire that she will be singing the title role in many major opera houses in the coming seasons. She is also set to make her Dallas Opera debut in the title role of “Tosca” and will return to her native Poland for “Aida.”

Recordings

Audiences curious about other roles that Płonka sings, here is a recording of “Nabucco” from the Arena di Verona and “Macbeth.”