Puccini - Turandot at the Forbidden City of Beijing / Mehta, Casolla, Larin, Frittoli, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Good production. A bit aged by now. Nicely staged and well sung.

I wish reviewers would review the product at hand without comparing to other recorded versions. No singer or opera performance is similar and should be reviewed based on it's sole merits alone. Larin is not Corelli, Casolla is not Nilsson and Frittoli is not Moffo. Just think how boring opera would be if every singer and opera performance was exactly the same. As a Chinese-American, I thoroughly enjoyed this lavish performance. From the Chinese perspective, it is a great honor that a magnificent composer such as Puccini would have been enthralled with our culture to write Turandot. To bring Turandot home to Beijing is an honor long overdue. Of course for such an important homecoming, Zhang Yimou, the greatest director in China would be asked to direct and produce the event. In a culture where face (honor) is so important, should it be surprising that the Chinese would spare no expense in recreating such lavish costumes, and scenery, etc.? This was a chance for China to showcase herself and her grand culture. The Chinese government is very selective about whom is allowed to film inside this amazing symbol of imperialism. I only state the above so viewers can better understand why certain scenes like martial arts (wushu - acrobatic style) are included. I can hardly wait for the opening Beijing Olympics ceremony. Also, Frittoli's slave attire may seem too fancy for some reviewers. However, servants of wealthy families were well dressed because they accompanied their masters into public. Now for the reviewer that called this a second rate cast, I disagree. Just because they do not have famous names does not mean they are not great singers. Those who can DO, those who cannot criticize. Larin is a wonderful tenor, but he does not seem to act at all. Casolla has a steely voice just perfect for the role of ice princess. Frittoli is again magnificent. Her voice is warm and golden in tone. She's a fine actress too. Mehta is in fine form directing the Orchestra & Chorus of Maggio Musicale Florentino.I think Zhang Yimou is a genius and have enjoyed all of his films. The production and background are visually gorgeous. The costumes were unbelievable and I greatly enjoyed having real Chinese in the cast. A very worthy Turandot!

This will be the second copy of the Turandot - Live at Peking Forbidden City that I have, the previous copy is in VHS format where in those days where DVD is yet to innovate yet, since there is no subtitle therefore I have absolutely no idea what they are singing about, but overall even though I know what the story is about but without the subtitle it is hard to understand what is going on. The DVD version of the opera comes with Subtitle in English & Chinese. Even though the Chinese subtitle does not appear in every conversation (the Japanese subtitle almost translate all the conversation during the entire show), but it gives me a better understanding on the entire story.However, I always wish that Barbara Frittoli can play the main character "Turandot" while Casolla played the character "Liu". Barbara Frittoli have the sweetest tune compare with Casolla, in fact in some Classical music review, "Liu"'s part in the opera is the most difficult and technical in the story.Love the setting of the stage and of course the culture dance, love the angel of death (in Act I, when the prince is about to be axe, a group of woman dancer dress in white, dancing under the moonlight), director Zhang Yi-Mou portrait the traditional Chinese version of Angel of Death well, and the little monk holding lotus lamp at the end make the show more interesting.Hesitated on buying the DVD? Just go for it! I will give this DVD 5 out of 5 stars.

I'm just a country doctor from Iowa and opera isn't my thing. My nine year old son doesn't like it either. So how do you get the two of us to watch an Italian opera about a medieval Chinese princess and some nut who is so smitten by her that he risks his very head to win her love? Get a wonderful orchestra under the baton of Zubin Mehta and combine it with the sublime voices of Giovanna Casolla, Sergej Larin, and Barbara Frittoli and the chorus of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino for starters. Then recruit a thousand Chinese extras and perform the show in exquisite costumes at the Forbidden City of Beijing. The result is one of the finest videos I have ever seen. I am sure this will not be the last opera my son and I will see. Pokemon move over; Back Street Boys get back stage; PUCCINI VINCIT!

This production has to be on of the greatest feats ever achieved with a piece of theatre - in this case a full opera with thousands of Chinese actors and artists as extras but also part of the cast. The inimitable Zubin Mehta certainly knew what he was taking on in the conducting role. Zhang Yimou as Director had a huge task put before him, but one which he made into such a successful spectacle. And let;s not forget the more than adequate singers in this production. Sergej Larin as Calaf and Giovanna Casolla as Turandot are superb. This DVD is a must have and own forever item. I am so happy I found it. It was posted quickly, took a while to reach me in Australia but was packed well and arrived safely. Would definitely recommend the same seller to the Opera lovers out there.

I’ve seen multiple performances of this opera and this is how Puccini intended it to be. The staging and costuming are perfect, the quality of singing is almost perfect and the acting is very good.I don’t understand why, on several occasions, we were treated to repeated views of Chinese architecture, stone statuary or other Chinese art, as they did not seem to have any relevance, to the storyline or action. Some of the photography was a bit sloppy, in that, in some of the long views, we were “treated” to views of the offstage lighting fixtures.The only disappointment, if one can really call it that, is that they sang the shorter version of Nessun Dorma.Aside from that, this performance deserves 5 stars.