Right costumes and set - performers look different
We were blown away. So much that we forgot completely that we had missed the first half hour.
When I looked up the time for the live broadcast of “Turandot” by the Metropolitan Opera it said “1:00 p.m.” So I told everyone I would pick them up around 12:15 p.m. And meet at the movie theater by 12:30 p.m.
Can anyone figure out already what I forgot?
Eastern versus Central time.
Locally the show began at 12:00 noon. I was horrified and deeply upset. Our Chinese friends who came said “it doesn’t matter”. By the time we got in and sat down everyone was trying to dissuade Calaf from his foolish attempt to court the princess. *Brang!* tolls the gong three times. Calaf is committed. End of act one.
It was phenomenal. The sets. The music. The acting. The singing. The story. I alternately laughed and yes cried a couple times. How could one not cry when Liu confesses her love for Calaf and then dies? How could one not cry this time with joy when Calaf and Turandot now stand before the imperial throne in love and triumph?
The women were the strongest – Marina Poplavskaya as Liu and Maria Guleghina as Turandot.
Forgive me but I thought Marcello Giordini was merely good in the role of Calaf. His rendition of “Nessun dorma” seems clipped and strangely flat. I prefer other renditions such as that of Luciano Pavarotti who allowed his notes to gently fade away so you are never quite sure when you no longer hear them and who pronounced the Italian words more smoothly.
I have enjoyed also the “behind the scenes” and interviews between acts. Such as with two trumpet players. The very young Latvian conductor Andris Nelsons. With Giordini and Guleghina – I was genuinely moved by the obvious affection and friendship between them. And with Charles Anthony who sang the role of the emperor – it was his 2900+ performance! He first began to perform in 1954 – more than 50 years on stage! And he shared a few touching stories of his most memorable experiences. How can one not love someone who so loves their craft and is so committed to the art?
A few in the audience of mostly “grey hairs” were moved to see several young people enjoying the opera – including my own two teenage daughters. “What brings you here today?” one gentleman asked. There is a palpable camaraderie between even strangers – the bond that already exists is a love for opera.
My Chinese friends said they recognized a few of the tunes as old traditional Chinese songs. And also agreed strongly that the costumes and sets all reflect the Ming dynasty. The story may be set in “legendary times” but someone did their homework to make it seem authentic.
One of the greatest experiences of the year 2009 for me. And upon leaving the manager gave everyone a voucher for a free ticket – because there were a few technical glitches during the performance (sound and even video occasionally cut out – it was a bit distracting). I feel badly for the theater to take such a hit – but that is like someone handing you $22 which is a lot of money.
Bravo!
