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What is Turandot? It is an opera that tells the story of a cold-hearted Chinese princess, named Turandot, who lives in the Forbidden City. To avoid marriage, she says that any potential husband must answer three riddles correctly or die.Who wrote Turandot? Giacomo Puccini wrote the opera. The final scene was completed by Franco Alfano, one of his students, based on Puccinis notes after he died.Was the performance indoors or outdoors? It was performed outdoors.

What should we pay attention to while reading a review of an opera? A review of opera usually starts with some background information. The review can give some important information such as the actors names and finally an evaluation. The review may include lots of very descriptive words that reflect feelings.

para(1)Part IIPart IIISome background informationThe summary of the storySome other informationPart Ipara(2,4-7)para(8)Part IVpara(3,9)The writers evaluation

1.How many performances of Turandot were performed in the Forbidden City in Beijing?2.Who wrote Turandot?Part IGiacomo Puccini wrote the opera. The final scene was completed by Franco Alfano, one of his students, based on Puccinis notes after he died.8

Main characters:

Setting:Plot:

Climax:Part IITurandot---- a Chinese princessCalaf----a princeLiu --- Calafs fathers young slaveBeijings Forbidden CityThe story takes on the classic love triangle of the three main characters Turandot, Calaf and Liu. Liu loves Calaf, but Calaf has fallen in love with Turandot.Turandot doesnt want to get married, and she declares that whoever wants to marry her must answer her three riddles. If the one cant answer them correctly , he will be killed.Liu dies for Calaf. Calaf kisses Turandot and wins her affection.

Director:Conductor:

Actors and actresses:

Part IIIZhang YimouZubin Metha, an internationally famous conductor born in IndiaSharon Sweet--- TurandotBarbara Hendricks --- LiuKristjan Johannson ---- Calaf

What is the writers evaluation of the performance?

Why does the writer think that the Forbidden City is a good setting for Turandot?Part IVsplendid, amazingBecause she felt that she could almost feel the history.

Dear David,Last night, I went to the opera for the first time. I was so excited. I went to see a ______________ of the opera Turandot. Music _______ from many different countries were cast. They were fantastic. The performance left me breathless with excitement. The setting for the story is _______ and the stage was decorated in red and _____. It all looked really authentic. All of the actors sang in fluent Italian, but I dont know the language so I needed to read a translation in order to follow the story. The plot is about a Chinese ________ called Turandot, who sets ________ that ____________ husbands have to performancetalentsChinagoldprincessriddlespotential

guess the answers to correctly if they want to ________ her. If they guess wrong, they will be condemned to death. People say that any opera production has to have certain key components in order to be successful. I think for the production I saw, the key component was the superb_______. Now I think Ill buy the DVD because it was so wonderful! I think everyone there _________ a very special event.Write and tell me all of your news. Look forward to hearing from you soon.Eleanormarrysettingwitnessed

1.a potential husband 2.imagine doing 3.fall in love (with sb.) 4.in a moving solo performance 5.take on 6.a classic love triangle 7.be drunk with sth. 8.exercise control over sb. 9.break ones promise

10.by sunrise 11.be desperate to do 12.win sbs affection 13.leave ones future in sbs hands 14.finish with sth. = end with sth.15.fall silent 16.stage the opera 17.be transformed into = be changed into

1.There could not be a better setting.2.The emperor finds the deaths of so many men disturbing , and although he would like to, he cant break his promise.3.[Seeing this], Calaf says that if she can guess his name by sunrise, she does not have to marry him.4.Then Calaf says his own name aloud, [leaving his future in Turandots hands].

5.The opera finishes with a beautifully-sung final duet, (which was so moving that the audience fell silent).6.Unfortunately, Puccini died before he completed this final scene.7.The Forbidden City is an area (where once only the emperor , his family and officials were allowed.)8.The bringing together of this group of people from many countries, the music , and the setting are clearly the key components of this amazing production.