I had the opportunity to see Puccini‘s Turandot at the Seattle Opera last night and I’m happy to say it was a most enjoyable experience. I don’t get out to see the opera very often but I always enjoy my experience for the people watching as much as the show itself.
For me the best productions are the ones that come close to causing sensory overload. Where the visual and the musical compete so much it’s difficult to take everything in… but in a good way.
The play takes place in a beautiful crafted fantasy version of China (of course since one of the characters is the son of Timur (spoiler) we can guess that it is early Ming or the very end of the Yuan Dynasty ) Starting with the ritualistic execution of Turandot’s last suitor to the play’s climax.
Musically the whole thing holds together magnificently to the point that with the exception of Nessun Dorma even though I left humming leitmotifs the opera felt like one single individual work, as opposed to a collection of arias the way many of my favorite works are.
Speaking of Nessun Dorma having grown up with it as Pavorotti‘s signature piece. It was fascinating how it sounded in a slightly lower register. Having always loved musical theater from Opera to Broadway this is truly the best reason to get to see multiple versions.
All in all this was a lovely production presenting a classical fairy tale that was a joy to listen to and watch.
