When Armiliato introduced it—he did so with fantastical beauty and tenderness. And to repeat myself: overall, he was excellent, as we are accustomed to too accustomed? In the role of Timor was James Morris, the bass-baritone—who, according to the calendar, is seventy-four years old. The calendar must be crazy. Morris is still the loudest person on stage—and it is a good loud.
Is he still up for Scarpia and Wotan? Let me put it this way: I would rather hear him in those roles, even now, than hear many another in them. But she touched hearts, which you probably want even more. I looked in my program to see whether he had been substituted for. But it was, indeed, Heppner—who was half his former size. Eyvazov, too, has slimmed down considerably.
How about the voice? It is intact. It rings, as before. It often has a little bleat to it, but that never killed anyone. Ping, Pang, and Pong? The first of those was Hyung Yun, who projected dignity and venerability. Next were Tony Stevenson and Eric Ferring, who sang with outstanding security and beauty.
In the title role—that voice-wrecker—was Christine Goerke, the magnificent American soprano. She is best known for German roles, and this is an Italian one, as you know. Goerke was not at her best in Act II. What Turandot is , you know? But she had her power and her musical IQ. In the next act, she was gratifyingly Goerkean. It is well-informed, interesting, and beautifully written. In the old days, Puccini was hailed for his liberality.
For his cosmopolitanism. For his curiosity about the broad world around him—even very, very far away from him. He cared about other cultures and their music. He incorporated that music into his own operas. Madama Butterfly is Japanesey as distinct from Japanese. La fanciulla del West is American-ish.
Turandot is Chinesey. These critics ought to see what Bach did with French overtures, Italian caprices, Irish jigs, etc. But let me make maybe two points. Turandot , like the other Puccini operas, is an Italian opera. An Italian opera with Chinese elements. If you would rather have your Chinese opera straight—purely and genuinely Chinese—there are many, many such operas to choose from.
Music leaps boundaries and always has, thank God. Maybe I could end on a footnote. It was sort of neat to have that preview.
As a reader of our efforts, you have stood with us on the front lines in the battle for culture. Learn how your support contributes to our continued defense of truth. Creative Commons Attribution 4. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3. Work Title Turandot Alt ernative. Contents 1 Performances 1. Performer Pages Jacques Pottier tenor. Javascript is required for this feature.
Performer Pages Roman Richards Piano. Arranger Franco Alfano Arranger Guido Zuccoli fl. Rosette Helen Elkin Bykov , Russian text. Leningrad: Muzyka , Plate This is Alfono's original completion as it was printed in the first edition of the vocal score, before Toscanini enforced his cuts.
Arranger Nawa Mukerji. Arranger Elaine Fine b. Arranger Bernhard Manger. Arranger William Meredith.
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