Introduction

Opera Turandot

Turandot is an opera of Puccini, an Italian composer (1858-1924) famous for Tosca and Madam Butterfly. Turandot was the last and grandest opera of Puccini. Set in Peking, China in legendary times, the opera tells the story of the cold-hearted princess Turandot, who executed all her suitors for failing to answer three riddles that she posed, and how the prince of Tartary melted Turandot’s icy heart and helped her realize the meaning of true love.

In 1920, Puccini decided to make the fairytale Turandotte, written by the Italian author Carlo Gozzi in the 18th century, into an opera. Puccini was enchanted by the background of the story that took place in an exotic and mythic China in legendary times. However, Puccini died before completing the three-act opera, as his health deteriorated. Afterwards, Puccini’s friend and colleague, Franco Alfano completed the final scene.

On April 25th, 1926, the historic premiere of Turdandot was given at Teatro alla Scala, conducted by Toscanini. In the performance of the premiere, after conducting Act III, up to the death of Liu, Toscanini laid down his baton and faced the audience with the words, “Here ends the opera left unfinished by Puccini, because at this point the Maestro died.” It remains a famous anecdote.

Opera Carmen

Founded on the story by the French playwright Merimee, opera Carmen was composed by Bizet, one of the great French composers (1838-1875) in 1875. Don Jose, a soldier of the Spanish army, stationed in Seville is a naive young man who has his fiance and ill mother, waiting for him at home. One day, infatuated by the charms of Carmen, a Gypsy woman who is working at a cigarette factory, he abandons his promising career and his sweetheart. However, he soon realizes that Carmen has transferred her affections to a bull fighter named Escamillo. In a fury of despair, Don Jose stabs Carmen to death in the arena.

Carmen was received with harsh criticism, when it premiered in 1875 in Paris. The failure contributed to the fact that the opera didn’t appeal to the taste of Parisian aristocrats, for being too risque and vulgar. However, after Bizet’s death, when the work was performed again, it received acclaim. Since then, Carmen has become one of the most popular and performed operas in the world.

Opera Aida

Opera Aida is one of the best works of Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), a great Italian composer who also created Rigoletto and La Traviata. The opera was first presented for the inauguration of Cairo’s new opera house in 1871. Although Aida was composed for celebration, the story is a sad love story. The young Egyptian general, Radames falls in love with Aida, an Ethiopian princess, who is now a slave to the Egyptian princess, Amneris. Aida also loves Radames, but she is torn between her love of Radames and the love of her homeland. Meanwhile, Amneris, in love with Radames, learns that Radames is in love with Aida. Jealous of Radames’s love for Aida, Amneris plots to hinder their love, and eventually the star-crossed lovers die together.

Opera Aida is considered one of the grandest operas, with an ancient Egyptian setting and exotic touches like ancestor worship rites and dances. It is full of splendid scenes, such as a triumphal return. The plot is as magnificent as life itself, in which universal human emotions, such as love and hate, and hope and death, transcend time and space. The opera wins itself a reputation for being majestic and elaborate, perfectly weaving various elements of drama into the story.