New Limited Edition Turandot Tin in honour of Puccini Festival

Filippo Berio Launches Limited Edition Turandot Tin To Mark Puccini Festival's 70th Edition

In the summer of 2024, the Puccini Festival once again captivated audiences. Honouring this event, Filippo Berio have unveiled the Turandot tin as part of their ongoing collaboration with the event.

About the Festival

Renowned annual opera festival, the Puccini Festival is dedicated to the works of the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini (1858 – 1924), one of Italy’s greatest operatic composers. Founded in 1930, the festival has become a global magnet for opera enthusiasts, featuring Puccini’s masterpieces such as "La Bohème," "Tosca," "Madama Butterfly," and "Turandot." Held beneath the stars at the enchanting Gran Teatro all’aperto Giacomo Puccini—nestled between Lucca, the maestro’s birthplace, and Viareggio – the festival attracts visitors from around the world who come to enjoy high-quality performances in this scenic and historic location.

The Filippo Berio factory is also based in Lucca, on the Massaciuccoli lake, and have a long-standing relationship with Festival Puccini, having proudly sponsored the event for several years. This collaboration continues to affirm the strong bond with the territory and it’s community; putting people, culture and sustainability at the centre.

The Turandot Tin

2024 marks the festival's 70th edition and the centennial of Puccini’s passing. To celebrate, Filippo Berio has released the ‘Turandot Limited Edition Tin’ of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This exciting release continues the collectable series showcasing Puccini’s leading ladies, following last year’s tribute tin to ‘Madama Butterfly’. Legendary figures in the realm of opera, these featured ladies are celebrated for their emotional richness and compelling narratives. Princess Turandot is a captivating figure from Puccini’s final opera, known not just for her beauty but also for her fierce nature. The striking imagery on this limited edition tin, makes this version great for gifting

The Extra Virgin Olive Oil included in this tin has a rich, fruity flavour that enhances fresh ingredients in any recipe, making it a perfect, healthy condiment. Ideal for a variety of uses, it excels in sauces, marinades, and dressings; drizzled over salads, pasta, meat, and vegetables; or used for dipping bread. It’s also excellent for seasoning baked potatoes and adding depth to soups and stews.

More about Giacomo Puccini

Puccini’s family had been deeply involved in Lucca’s musical scene since the 1730s, contributing five generations of organists and composers to the Cathedral of San Martino. It was expected that Giacomo would follow in the footsteps of his ancestors, taking over the position held by his father, Michele. However, when Giacomo was only five, Michele passed away and the church held the position for him, awaiting his maturity.

Despite this, Giacomo initially showed little interest in music and struggled as a student, casting doubt on whether the Puccini family's musical legacy would continue. His mother, Albina, remained determined and arranged for him to receive tutoring at the local music school and Giacomo gradually improved. By the age of 14, he had become the church's organist and had begun composing his first pieces. His passion for music was truly ignited in 1876 when he and a brother walked nearly 20 miles to Pisa to see a performance of Verdi's Aida. This experience inspired Giacomo to pursue what would become a successful career in opera.

Turandot is Puccini’s final opera which was unfinished at his death and completed by Franco Alfano two years later, with its premiere in 1926. Arranged in three acts, Turandot is set in China, and follows the story of Princess Turandot, who has vowed that no man may marry her unless he correctly answers three riddles. Prince Calaf, successfully solves the riddles, before presenting the Princess with a challenge of her own. The music in Turandot is both powerful and beautiful, providing the orchestra and chorus with moments to truly shine, as captivated by the design on the Turandot Tin.