This may have been Puccini’s last and unfinished opera, but it was no less accomplished. Set in ancient China, it is the story of Princess Turandot who has decreed she will marry a suitor who can solve three riddles that she will set, but failure after accepting the challenge means death. Many have tried and failed. A simple tale, derived from many sources, embracing fairy stories and set to music.

First we see the Prince of Persia, Prince Calaf, watching the latest suitor put to death, watched by Princess Turandot, when he suddenly spies his lost father with a slave girl amongst the crowd. After seeing the Princess he utters her name thus giving notice of his intent as a suitor. Turandot is sung by Monika Chabros, soprano, and Calaf by Akhmed Agadi, tenor, both giving fine performances, but it is Elena Gherman, soprano, singing the part of Liu, the servant girl of Calaf’s father, who steals the show. It is hoped that we see more of Elena Gherman in this country for her voice and acting were outstanding. She outshone the rest of the cast with a performance that made full use of her acting skills to bring the part alive. The most well known aria from the opera, “Nessun Dorma”, is quite short but very memorable. Sadly the chorus looked as though they were there only for the singing and only had to stand in lines to achieve a performance - they never looked as though they were enjoying what they were doing, which maybe they would have done had they acted their parts.

The scenery by Alexander Okun gave the right ambience and the costumes added to the story. Eugen Platon’s direction was adequate, but not inspirational. The orchestra, under the direction of Nicolae Dohotaru, made for a good night at the opera. © BA

“Turandot” is in York on the 7th of October, 2001 and then continues an extensive tour of Britain.