Across China: Diving into cultural symphony of Turandot
A reimagined version of Turandot is staged at the Shaanxi Opera House in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 9, 2025.(Shaanxi Opera House/Handout via Xinhua)
XI'AN, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- As the ethereal strains of the Chinese folk song Jasmine Flower intertwined with the soaring tenor of Nessun Dorma, the opera Turandot reached a breathtaking climax, leaving some 1,500 audience members in rapturous applause.
On Sunday, a reimagined version of Puccini's renowned opera was staged at the Shaanxi Opera House in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, marking the finale of the 25-day 11th Silk Road International Arts Festival.
Regarded as one of the world's greatest operas, Turandot tells the story of a beautiful Chinese princess who decrees that any prince wishing to marry her must solve three riddles, with failure punishable by death.
In this production, Italian tenor Marco Berti took on the role of Calaf, a Tartar prince who ultimately melts the princess's icy heart with love.
"Turandot was born from Westerners' curiosity about China. Puccini never visited China in his lifetime, yet the Chinese folk song Jasmine Flower became his point of reference for understanding the country and was used as a central motif for the heroine Turandot," Berti said.
According to him, Turandot is a point of connection between the West and East. "The opera blends delicate Chinese melodies with references to Chinese ritual in ancient times, creating an atmosphere that allows Western audiences to feel the essence of Chinese history and culture. For Chinese audiences, it introduces Western operatic conventions and symphonic traditions," he said.
"For years, Turandot has been an iconic example of cultural exchanges between China and Italy, and that's why we decided to rearrange it this time," said Wang Wentao, project manager of the opera at the Shaanxi Opera House.
According to Wang, the theater opened in 2017 with its first self-produced performance of Turandot, and unlike some Westernized versions that emphasize exoticism, this production aimed at highlighting Eastern culture.
The production team designed costumes and sets to showcase Chinese cultural elements, incorporating traditional Qinqiang Opera, a folk genre dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.), alongside ornamental patterns characteristic of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Italian director Lorenzo Nencini, the revival director for this performance, emphasized that he views Turandot more as a fairy tale than a realistic drama. While staying true to the original score, he incorporated projections and vibrant costumes to create a fantastical world seen through a child's eyes. For instance, at the start of the second act, the three ministers -- Ping, Pang and Pong -- are depicted playing on a seesaw and a wooden horse.
"Every production is a different adventure," said Nencini, who was previously engaged in the production of two other versions of Turandot.
Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of Turandot's debut. As one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide, its enduring appeal lies in its captivating melodies, elegant lyrics, oriental charm, celebration of love, and much more.
"What's always interesting of masterpieces is that you can really look into them and always find new things, just as directors with different backgrounds will bring various ends to the story," said Nencini, adding that the opera's popularity shows how music can transcend cultures and resonate with people across eras and countries, with younger generations finding their own way to embrace it alongside older audiences. ■
A reimagined version of Turandot is staged at the Shaanxi Opera House in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 9, 2025.(Shaanxi Opera House/Handout via Xinhua)
A reimagined version of Turandot is staged at the Shaanxi Opera House in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 9, 2025.(Shaanxi Opera House/Handout via Xinhua)
