Turandot 30 years old

Written 20 years after Madame Butterfly (1904), Puccini's version of an 800-year-old fairy-tale is set in a legendary Peking and scored on a grand scale, incorporating not only Chinese musical techniques but a vast range of oriental percussion. Puccini draws heavily on the chorus, and as ever makes intense demands on his h....e, to which Eva Marton rises powerfully, very well complemented by the tenor Michael Sylvester as Calaf. However, what makes this 1994 San Francisco Opera version so enchanting as a visual experience is the realisation by David Hockney, who not only designed the sets and costumes but also directed the production. His vision is highly stylised, richly imagined, atmospheric and very beautiful, and it is a testament to how well this version is directed that much of the original magic is communicated through the confines of a TV screen.

Credits

Turandot Cast

Name Character
Éva Marton She was 50, now 80 years old as Turandot

Turandot Crew

Name Department
Brian Large as Director. He was 54 (now 85) years old Directing
Giacomo Puccini as Original Music Composer. He was 135 (65) years old when He died Sound
David Hockney as Production Design. He was 56 (now 86) years old Art
Donald Runnicles as Music Director. He was 39 (now 69) years old Sound
Turandot poster
Turandot (30 years)

  • Release day: Wednesday, January 12, 1994
  • Runtime: 123 minutes