On February 15^th, NCPA opera Turandot was staged for the ninth round. The current production was created with dedication by artists including CHEN Xinyi, HAO Weiya and GAO Guangjian. It was conducted by NCPA Artistic Director of the Music LÜ Jia in collaboration with vocalists including Lise Lindstrom, Marco Berti, YAO Hong and TIE Haojiang.

 

NCPA’s creative team constantly polished the opera during the rehearsals.“This was the first opera produced by NCPA after its establishment. It has a close connection with China and is of great significance.” Conductor LÜ Jia said. Director CHEN Xinyi is full of artistic passion for the current production of Turandot. She led the two singers Lise Lindstrom and Marco Berti who are participating in the current production for the first time to give an ‘NCPA interpretation’ of the opera. CHEN said, “It has taken a decade to produce this opera. For me, every round of rehearsals saw some improvements. In every rehearsal, we made slight modifications and achieved great improvements to gradually perfect our interpretation.”

 

Among the cast of the current production of Turandot, singers including SUN Xiuwei, YAO Hong, TIE Haojiang and WANG Zhiru participated in the performance of Turandot in 2008. Soprano SUN Xiuwei, who has participated in the opera for all nine consecutive rounds, said that the current production of Turandot includes qualitative changes regarding the development of the Chinese princess. In the opinion of soprano YAO Hong, the humanistic and emotional interpretation of Princess Turandot in the current production is not only a unique feature but also a cultural symbol. As Bass TIE Haojiang put it, “In 2008, I came to NCPA to rehearse the opera immediately after my performance of Turandot with the Metropolitan Opera.”

The current production of Turandot sees a reunion of old friends as well as the participation of new friends. In the performance on the night of February 15^th, American soprano Lise Lindstrom and Italian bass Marco Berti gave excellent performances. Lise Lindstrom, who has played the role of Princess Turandot more than a hundred times on the world’s most important opera stages, shaped the princess’s aloofness and pride, and her tenderness after she sheds her first tear, with a dignified voice full of passion. Marco Berti interpreted Prince Calaf’s bravery and wisdom with a metallic voice full of dramatic charm. When talking about the ‘18 minutes’ created by composer HAO Weiyao on the basis of Puccini’s unfinished works, Lise Lindstrom described it as an exciting and wonderful experience.”