Turandot The Bachelorette

I must say, this was my favourite opera at Den Norske Opera during my stay in Oslo. Hands down.  It truly demonstrates that although opera companies tend to perform the same operas year in and year out, there are so many different productions and interpretations of each one. The experience can be completely changed, and you can live the story in a new way, even though you might have seen this opera before.

I saw Turandot at the Opera de Montreal last year, so I had an idea of what it would be like. It would be set in medieval China, with traditional costumes and hairdos. Boy, was I wrong!! Begins the ingenuity of director Andreas Homoki...

Turandot. Den Norske Opera. Photo: Erik Berg.

HISTORY LESSON

Before I begin, there is something you should know. I didn't know this and so I found it odd when the curtain closed and the singers took a bow right after *spoiler* Liu's suicide. I thought, maybe its just for the dress rehearsal, and they'll do the complete opera as of opening night. Except I bumped into a friend after the performance, and he told me that Puccini died before completing the opera, and that the last scene was composed by Fanco Alfano. This production is then the incomplete, but original version.

REALITY TV

As I've mentioned, this opera isn't set in its typical ancient Beijing. It begins with Den Norske Opera Chorus, watching the Emperor speak to the nation, as though it were John F. Kennedy addressing the American nation. The stage background consists of two huge doors, that when closed, make the shape of a question mark. There is also a cameraman on stage, and the footage he films appears on the three tvs that are placed here and there on stage. It creates this oppressive atmosphere as the camera captures intimate moments of the characters. For the audience, it gives another perspective, as it becomes easier to notice the singers' facial expressions.

Turandot. Den Norske Opera. Photo: Erik Berg.

THE BACHELORETTE

Turandot, also known as the ice princess, doesn't want to get married. She's an independent woman who doesnèt want to be ruled by a man. So basically, she's totally ahead of her time, and if she were Gen X, she wouldn't have this problem, and we wouldn't have an opera. So to discourage potential suitors, she asks them three enigmas (See what they did there with the question mark background?). What's the catch? If they fail to answer properly, they are executed. It's fair game.

Ping, Pang, Pong. Den Norske Opera. Photo: Erik Berg.

A TALK SHOW

​Now a talk show needs a host, and in this production, we get three. Ping, Pang, Pong, the three ministers. They've got glittery vests, Elvis's hair, and a lot of humour. Oh, and they karaoke too. They are truly essential to the story line and bring comic relief to the performance, which is not always the case in various other productions of Turandot. 

THE END
This is the last production that I will see at Operaen, as I will be returning to Canada in a few weeks. I could not have asked for a better production, and I will forever keep a sweet memory of this incredible opera house.

Tusen Takk!

Turandot is presented at Den Norske Opera throughout the month of May, and it is the last production of their 2015-2016 season. For tickets and more information, visit operaen.no.