LA Opera’s presentation of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is musically captivating and visually stunning. Set in ancient China, the tragic opera tells the story of a beautiful but cruel princess named Turandot. She refuses to marry to avoid the fate suffered by her ancestor and to maintain her own independence. To win her hand in marriage, suitors must solve three riddles and their failure results in execution. Her resolve is tested when Calaf falls in love at first sight, andundeterred by the risks, takes on the challenge. Underlying this fairy-tale narrative is the storyline of the emotionally fraught slave girl Liu who is unwavering in her love and devotion for Calaf.
LA Opera Turandot
Angela Meade as Turandot and Russell Thomas as Calaf; photo credit Cory Weaver
The overall tone of the opera is suspenseful as the plot takes on themes of love, vulnerability, sacrifice, and redemption. There are some lighter laughs aloud moments offered by the Emperor’s ministers, Ping, Pong, and Pang, who taunt Calaf. Also energizing the otherwise tense mood of the performance are displays of delightful acrobatic moves by colorfully costumed dancers.
LA Opera Turandot Set Design by David Hockney
David Hockney’s set design interprets traditional Chinese aesthetics and imagery while reflecting his own distinctive artistic style. The grandeur of the Chinese imperial court is evoked with vibrant colors, minimalistic shapes, and abstract elements.
Terrence Chin-Loy (Pang), Ryan Wolfe (Ping), and Jules Ahn (Pong); photo credit Cory Weaver
Soprano Angela Meade, in the role of Turandot, sings with a rich tone,vocal prowess, and dramatic stage presence. Tenor Russell Thomascompellingly portrays Calaf with vocal nuance, strength, and clarity. As Liu, Soprano Guanqun Yu’s vocal warmth, clarity, and agility provides the opera with a captivating expression of heartfelt human emotional depth.
Music Director James Conlon masterfully conducts Puccini’s score that blends Western orchestration with exotic Eastern influences. The audiencewas notably excited by the hauntingly beautiful aria “Nessun Dorma”(“Let no one sleep”), popularized by Luciano Pavarotti and performed inmany movies including during a fight scene in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
Here are a couple of interesting facts about the production. Puccini died before completing Turandotand younger composer Franco Alfano was commissioned to complete the final scene resolving the story. This “happy ending” version is mostly performed today with alternative versions attempting to portray Puccini’s interest in “the tragedy of little souls.”
Also, LA Opera, with concern for the depiction of Chinese stereotypes in the opera, engaged the Asian Opera Alliance to review the production. The hair and makeup team made sure everyone’s makeup matches their own skin color and their eye makeup accentuates their own features. They also made slight changes to Hockey’s imagery to adjust what was felt to overtly evoke stereotypes of ancient China.
The cast includes bass Morris Robinson as Timur, baritone Ryan Wolfe as Ping, tenor Julius Ahn as Pong, tenor Terrence Chin-Loy as Pang, bass Alan Williams as the Mandarin, and tenor Ashley Faatoalia as Emperor Altoum.
Garnett Bruce directs the production, and the costumes are designed by Ian Falconer. The chorus director is Jeremy Frank, and the artistic director of the LA Children’s Chorus is Fernando Malvar-Ruiz. Kitty McNamee is the choreographer and the intimacy director is Andrew Kenneth Moss. www.laopera.orgwww.laopera.org
