-Conductor Carignani says he was ‘left idle for 10 days without fixed schedule’

-Production claims $13.8 million in budget marred by chain of departures

'Again 2024 Turandot' (Organizer of 'Again 2024 Turandot')
'Again 2024 Turandot' (Organizer of 'Again 2024 Turandot')

Paolo Carignani, one of the three conductors for the grand opera “Again 2024 Turandot,” has withdrawn from the production. This marks the second official withdrawal from the production. On Dec. 21, just nine hours before its opening, Italian opera director Davide Livermore withdrew from the production, citing a dispute over creative direction and unpaid fees.

Carignani's legal representatives issued a press release, stating, “It is with deep regret that Maestro Carignani must step down from ‘Again 2024 Turandot.’”

Carignani’s team said that “from Dec. 16 to the 25, Maestro Carignani conducted rehearsals not at the COEX venue but elsewhere. From Dec. 18 onward, he was left waiting in his hotel without a fixed conducting schedule, making it impossible for him to perform his duties.”

The production initially featured Carignani, Placido Domingo and world-renowned tenor Jose Cura as conductors. Carignani, an Italian maestro with over 35 years of experience, has conducted at venues such as the Metropolitan Opera, Bregenz Festival, Bavarian State Opera, Vienna State Opera and Zurich Opera House.

“Carignani requested a finalized conducting schedule nine times, but all his requests were ignored. Even on Christmas Eve, Artistic Director Park Hyun-jun failed to provide a clear response,” the statement added.

Carignani’s team also revealed detailed conflicts with the production team that began Dec. 16.

Artistic Director Park allegedly told Carignani's agency, InArt Management, on Dec. 19 and 20: “Considering Carignani’s capabilities, his casting might be canceled. His conducting lacks distinctive color, and he is not the conductor we want for Turandot in Korea.”

In response, InArt reportedly asked Park twice on Dec. 20 to clarify whether the contract would be terminated. According to InArt, the agency informed Park: “Let us know by the 20th. If Maestro Carignani is to stay in Seoul, he will proceed with the scheduled performances; otherwise, he will leave Seoul the next day.” However, the agency claims it received no response and was instead notified unilaterally that Jose Cura would conduct the Christmas Eve performance.

Carignani was originally scheduled to conduct five performances -- Dec. 22, 24, 27, 29 and 31 -- according to the organizer’s introduction, with Cura conducting three and Domingo two. However, Cura replaced Carignani on Dec. 22.

The production’s introduction on Interpark, the country’s largest ticket platform, still listed Carignani as the conductor for the Dec. 24, 27, 29 and 31 performances as of Sunday evening.

On Dec. 21, Carignani reportedly sent three emails to Artistic Director Park, inquiring about his conducting dates and whether the contract would be honored, but received no response.

After repeated silence from the production team, Carignani’s team issued a formal notice through their Korean representative, raising concerns about unpaid contractual fees and requesting confirmation of the conducting schedule by Dec. 24. In response, the artistic director allegedly stated: “We have not yet decided whether Maestro Carignani will take the stage, so the contract fee has not been paid.”

Carignani’s team also claimed that the conductor, left in a state of uncertainty without payment, suffered severe anxiety and insomnia while confined to his hotel. Ultimately, through legal representation in Korea, Carignani terminated the contract on Dec. 24 and departed the country on Christmas Day.

Although there was no official announcement of his departure, Aleksandrs Antonenko, who plays Calaf, left the country after falling ill with a cold. He had previously canceled his appearance for the Dec. 25 performance. Antonenko was originally scheduled to perform four times, on Dec. 23, 25, 29 and 31.

"Again 2024 Turandot" is Park's ambitious project aimed at re-creating the success of the 2003 outdoor opera performance in Seoul, boasting a substantial budget of 20 billion won ($13.8 million) and featuring a star-studded cast, including sopranos Maria Guleghina and Asmik Grigorian, tenor Yusif Eyvazov and baritone Brian Jagde.

However, the grand opera has been marred by a series of setbacks, from the abrupt departure of key figures to logistical and organizational chaos, including seating disruptions on opening night. The production is set to continue until Tuesday.