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Excellent singing and orchestration, but the wigs and the costumes were a little cheap. Ping/Pang/Pong were distracted by something in the wings in Act II, talked among themselves, and distracted me and my seatmate. Otherwise, very good.
Costumes, characters, singers, sets were all magnificent. The music was memorable. Although most people have heard Nessun Dorma sung by Pavarotti, the rendition at the Kirby Center for the Performing Arts was as moving. The antics of Pin, Pang and Pong were funny and whimsical. Princess Turandot, the range of her voice amazing. As was Liu's voice. In as much as my love of opera is vast. I do hope someday to be able to see LaBoheme, Indomedeo, Magic Flute, Les Miserables and other great opera's.
I greatly enjoyed the Portland Opera of Turandot. It was very theatrical. I would def go again. Thanks.
I was worried from the moment prior to the performance when the announcer begged forgiveness for the earache affecting the singer portraying Timur. The audience should've instead rec'd an advance apology for the two leads. (Timur was in fine voice, as was Liu - the finest in the ensemble) We could barely hear the male lead, and Turandot herself appeared as an elderly matron (costume/wig/staging/walk) from the moment she appeared onstage. Two leads - one inaudible and one visually distracting, left us unable to suspend our disbelief. Sadly, this poor production was further muddled by the frenetic staging of the chorus, particularly when there was excessive movement of 40-odd black & white clad bodies on this tiny stage. I understand the costumes & sets were borrowed. The company would have been better off conceiving something original on a low budget. Our first Portland Opera experience has left me cold.
I actually heard a complaint about the set at this production of Turandot! In my opinion, the set was another character, and what a stylized and impressive character it was! Such a 20's vibe - so modernist and with such a clever sense of humor! The chorus was breathtaking, the principles were quite good, and Liu stole the show on the stage. In the pit, the orchestra was flawless. A deeply satisfying evening, Portland Opera. Thank you!
The only way to get through this opera is to close your eyes and just listen to the music, which was well performed. Congrats to the musicians. Everything else was ridiculous. The set was nothing more than portraits of ordinary men (reminiscent of mug shots) hung on a semi-circle of corrugated steel. Costumes had a comic-book feel, and generally had nothing to do with the location of the story in China. The choreography was pure beatnik/tripped-out-hippie rubbish and didn't match the libretto. How in the world will Portland Opera recover from this one? Patrons were TICKED OFF!!
The music was good, some beautiful. The characters of Turandot and Calaf, particularly Calaf, were wooden and seemed unable to physically connect with anyone else on stage. Yes, Turandot is an icy, vindictive character, but Calaf showed little emotion aside form squeezing his leather coat closed from time to time. The singer who played Liu was excellent, and showed a dynamism missing from almost everyone else. Ugh. Poor directing, if nothing else.
The soprano was exquisite (though she was a nasty character turned miraculously into a love-worn person). Very good job. Liu did her role superbly well. Calaf was fantastic as well. And so were all the other parts. Dressing the 3 bureaucrats in their color-synched outfits and offices was a good touch. All the staging was effective. The orchestra complemented it all in fine form. Please see special comments on the chorus, below in "favorite moment." In sum, we can't tell you how much we enjoyed this opera. It inspired us to order a boxset of Puccini's works and especially Pavoratti's recording of Turandot and too think seriously about attending all the Portland operas next year. Bravo Portland Opera, bravo!
Completely enthralling! I found the setting at first to be confusing, but as the characters took their places and the opera began, it proved to be very fitting!
Interesting production of Puccini classic. Wonderful music even though the characters are not very likeable. The chorus, Liu, Ping, Pang and Pong were the best.
My wife and I enjoyed Turandot. We both agree that cast was in good voice albeit the tenor that sang Calif was a little weak---Turandot was a good singer, but our favorite and the favorite of the rest of the audience was the gal that played Liu---she was simply amazing---her range was great and her power came through even when she was singing softly----she made this show a 4 star---also, the Bass that sang the part of Timur was very good. Ping, Pomg and Pang were great--- I really enjoyed the costuming and the staging---a mix of ancient China and Maoism---also, the pictures reminded me of political prisoners----great overall concept---we signed up for next season----
Very good music,voices. Scenery like like grade school caliber...could be better.
Let me start by saying I am a huge Puccini fan so just the basic premise of the event scores big points. Also I saw the previous Portland Opera production of Turandot that I use to frame my reaction to the current production. I wasn't a big fan of the set or costume design with the exception of Ping, Pang, and Pong's colorful costumes and accents (wonderful). The big purple corrugated wall was ugly, cheap looking and looming over every scene, try again. Lori Phillips and Grazia Doronzio have beautiful voices and filled their characters with emotion. Philip Webb did an acceptable job but I didn't think his voice had the needed strength which was a similar reaction I had to his performance in Aida two years ago.
The acting was mediocre, not the worst but not great either. The actors sang well and I was pleased with the interpretation of Nessun Dorma. My biggest complaint for the evening was the foolish choice to update the costumes. Having Calif wearing a black trench coat was quite frankly, stupid. I am astonished that someone would think that those costumes would be acceptable.
Excellent tenor and soprano (Liu role), outstanding bass. The soprano singing Turandot should admit she is past the best years of her voice and start singing mezzo roles. Her voice in the lower soprano register is really beautiful and strong, but the high passages are unpleasant to the point of discomfort. The staging is creative but doesn't carry one through this more-than-usually improbable opera (see program notes for evidence of this opera's plot weakness). Occasionally it works brilliantly as in the scene of Ping Pang and Pong as office workers. But mostly it creates a cold, hard and bare setting where the usual luscious costuming would help to carry the weak plot along.
The updated version has a lot to be desired. Puccini is rolling around in his grave. Where did he write that one man is in a blue suit another in a yellow and a third in a green suit? or that all the singers should have a black necktie on? In all of my experiences with operas here in the U.S., Vienna Austria, Budapest Hungary where I grew up and attended the operas I have never seen this type of re-do. I actually, for the first time in my life, walked out at the first intermission. Very expensive outing to have to walk out of.
Vordoni conducts excellent work to pull all the power of orchestra and singers! Doronzio's Liu was impressive.
Really enjoyed this production. It kept me riveted, and some of the arias sent chills down my spine. Also, we left our tickets at home and had no time to go get them. The box office people were so kind about replacing them, and I wanted to send them a big thank you!
Perhaps I am too unsophisticated to appreciate the reasoning behind the main stars doing most of their singing while sitting in chairs, or doing their walking like early science fiction robots. I must assume the Director had some reason, but it escapes me, and it is not easy (unless you are Netrebko) to sing from such an awkward position. We only heard the last two notes of nessun dorma, after Calaf got up. Kudos to the chorus, Liu, Altoum, and Ping.
Turandot was absolutely enchanting! My first time seeing it and I was moved. Ms.hillips was fabulous.
