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The CPO staged a thrilling concert version of "Turandot" on
Friday night as strong voices stood out in high relief amidst a
simple but symbolic setting.
Although there wasn't a splendid Forbidden City backdrop, nor
the gorgeous princess gowns draping the stars as were used five
years ago for the Three Tenors director Li Wei guided a magnificent
cast and raised the roof of the Poly Theatre.
Sopranos Wang Xia (as Turandot) and Sun Xiuwei (Liu), tenor Dai
Yuqiang (Calaf) and baritone Tian Haojiang (Timur) were all
brilliant.
Under the baton of Yu Long, artistic director of CPO, the
orchestra gave full play to the transformative power of Puccini's
music, such as Turandot's chilling "In questa reggia," Liu's moving
aria "Signora, ascolta" and the memorable "Nessun dorma." The
renditions could have melted even the hardest heart.
Standing on the left front of the stage, the four-leaf screen
changed its graphics to suggest different scenes.
The costumes combined the Western and Chinese, old fashioned and
new.
Calaf was dressed in a long windcheater while Timur sporting
long white hair wore a dark blue suit. Liu was dressed Qing Dynasty
style while Turandot wore an orange satin evening dress with
glittering shoulder straps that matched her sparkling voice.
The choir stood on the back stage dressed in tangzhuang
contemporary version of traditional Chinese attire with a fan in
each member's hand to give some pose while singing.
Wang was perfect as the icy but seductive Princess Turandot. The
soprano has a commanding, versatile and authoritative voice.
As Calaf, tenor Dai was at home with the style and the Puccinian
melodic lines. He gave a bright, firm performance, which was driven
by a sense of excitement.
(China Daily September 4, 2006)
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