Saturday, August 30, 2008

Puccini's Turandot

30 August 2008 @ Esplanade Theatre

Quoted from the Uniquely Singapore website...

Set in the Forbidden City of Beijing, Puccini's final masterpiece tells the compelling story of the beautiful yet ruthless princess whose suitors must answer three riddles or perish. When a daring young prince resolves to win her, he unleashes a gripping test of sacrifice, loyalty and love. Be enchanted by Puccini's memorable and glorious melodies and the famous aria Nessum Dorma.

Read storyline HERE

It 's one of the longest play I watched... first time, when the play comes with 2 intermissions (20 min & 15 min respectively). It's a solid 2 hour opera... that sang in a language that's alien to me... but with 2 numbers that I'm very familiar... No doubt, first one is the Nessun dorma! (ie. "None shall Sleep" - by Placido Domingo) and surprising the next one is 茉莉花 sang in Italian.

It's not the first time that I watch a play that's neither in English or Mandarin (The last time was the Notre Dame in French)... so, used to reading the subtitles... Perhaps it's the story not too captivating... maybe it's personal preference... er... even to some extent, that's some conflict with the values that I hold more dearly to... while it's something not in the storyline...

It's about filial piety vs love... one could leave his parent behind... and to pursue LOVE - which is love at the first sight! love of someone who's cruel! (at least the behaviour, though it was huanted by bad experiences). Is that "LOVE" worth the sacrifice????? Something that I could not reconcile with... I guess, it's a matter of "Rule by the Heart" or "Rule by the Head"...

Anyway... the story went on too slowly.... too slowly.... By the way, it's really a good choice to get the front row seat... Yes, the facial expressions were very very clear! Hm... Suspect that microphones were not used... for some parts, could feel the 'distance'... something that can be improved on! The singing... hm... if have listened to the ones by the 3 tenors.... hm.... OK, this one... once is enough...

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