Puccini's epic fantasy, Turandot, is set to captivate and delight audiences when Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour returns in 2016.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said the grand production will be set against the striking backdrop of Sydney's most famous icons the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

“Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will return for the fifth consecutive year with this grand cultural event now firmly established as one of the world's greatest outdoor operas,” Mr Ayres said.

“Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is a huge success story, introducing a new legion of fans to opera and driving visitation to NSW.  This year's successful season of Aida saw around 20,000 tickets sold to people outside of Sydney – an increase of around 75 per cent on the previous year - a remarkable achievement.

“The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, partnered with Opera Australia in 2012 to establish Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour and we're delighted to continue this partnership through to 2017.”

Opera Australia Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini AM, said Director Chen Shi-Zheng, will present a new vision for one of opera's most loved works, with a huge cast, bold and exotic themes, big dance numbers and powerhouse voices including the biggest opera hit of all time, Nessun Dorma.

“For some time I've wanted to work with Chen Shi-Zheng. His incredibly rigorous Chinese opera background combined with his work in the West has given him two worlds to draw upon. The result is a unique style, both spectacular and incredibly intense and powerful,” Mr Terracini said.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase welcomed the announcement and said, “Since 2012, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has attracted an estimated 37,000 visitors from overseas, interstate and intrastate.”

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Turandot will run from 24 March 2016 until 24 April 2016.