Opera in turmoil: Director Davide Livermore withdraws from 'Turandot' hours before premiere

Creative clash, payment disputes mar ambitious production

Davide Livermore (left) and Park Hyun-joon (Eugenio Pini, Yonhap)

In a dramatic turn of events, Italian opera director Davide Livermore withdrew from the production of “Again 2024 Turandot” just nine hours before its opening Sunday night in Seoul, citing creative and contractual disputes with the production team.

In a statement released early Sunday morning, Livermore said that he does not recognize the direction of ‘Again Turandot’ as his own and fully dissociates himself from the artistic outcome of this production.

The sudden split has escalated into a dispute, with the production company, Turandot Again 2024, considering legal action. The company accused Livermore of a "lack of commitment and excessive demands for compensation."

Livermore cited the production team’s "continuous arbitrarily imposed changes" and their adoption of choreography copied from Zhang Yimou’s 1997 staging of "Turandot" for Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. He called the decision "unacceptable" and said it made it "impossible" for him and his collaborator, Carlo Sciaccaluga, to carry out their directorial roles.

The 58-year-old Italian opera director is a celebrated figure known for his innovative opera productions.

"Such decisions diverted the production from the original concept and the high standards required of a director of my caliber," Livermore stated. He further criticized the process as being marred by “authoritarian impositions of an amateur and unprofessional level.”

Financial disagreements have compounded the dispute. Livermore’s team accused the production’s general director, Park Hyun-joon, of failing to meet contractual obligations regarding payment.

The cast and staff of Again 2024 Turandot pose for photos after a press conference at Coex on Dec. 17. (Yonhap)

The production company has fired back, slamming Livermore’s actions as unprofessional and claiming he made unreasonable financial demands.

In its press release issued Sunday afternoon, the production team explained that this production of “Again 2024 Turandot” aims to recreate the essence of the landmark 2003 outdoor opera “Turandot” at Seoul World Cup Stadium and build on its previous success, spearheaded by Park, who led that performance.

The producers defended their preparations, explaining that both parties had reached an agreement several months ago and that, during that time, director Park had repeatedly requested recreating the essence of the 2003 performance.

However, Livermore and his team ignored these instructions and attempted to take the production in a completely different direction, leading to conflict when the producers refused to comply, the production company claimed.

Also accusing Italian opera insiders of exploiting Korean opera, the statement reads, “Italian opera figures have once again shown their disregard for Korea, treating us as an easy target.”

Regarding payment, the production company claimed that Sciaccaluga arrived in Seoul on Nov. 27 but did not perform any directing-related work and was sent back for not attending rehearsals.

"Livermore came to Korea (afterward) but did not provide any assistance with the production while continuing to demand guarantees," the company stated. It added that “threatening remarks” were made, prompting consideration of criminal charges.

In response, Livermore defended his integrity in another press release, saying he found it highly inappropriate that Park seeks to manipulate his career.

"My life can testify to the respect I have for artists, for all artists, including, of course, Korean artists," he said.

He rejected claims that he and his team had failed to work, and said “it is precisely because (Park) prevented us from directing our production, imposing the copying of a great artist like Zhang.”

Livermore emphasized that his statements aimed to clarify that the final production did not represent his work and pointed out the use of his name and image in promotional materials.

"I do not want to wage wars; I simply want to state that I have nothing to do with this work because my work was blocked,” Livermore said.

On Monday afternoon, the production company again lashed out at Livermore’s team, claiming their continued lack of cooperation.

With a budget of 20 billion won ($13.8 million), “Again 2024 Turandot” has attracted some of the biggest names in opera. Conductors Placido Domingo, Jose Cura and Paolo Carignani lead the musical team, while sopranos Maria Guleghina, Asmik Grigorian, tenor Yusif Eyvazov and baritone Brian Jagde are featured among the star-studded cast. Tickets cost as much as 1 million won.

Amid the controversy, the production company has appointed Park as the artistic director in place of Livermore.

“Again 2024 Turandot” continues at Coex's D Hall until Dec. 31.