The Turandot Project

Back in 1997, Oscar-winning filmmaker Allan Miller (Small Wonders) found inspiration in Zubin Mehta's decision to conduct a production of Turandot in Florence with a rather controversial director, the Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, who had no stage experience whatsoever. Before the end of the year, however, plans were underway to bring the production to the Forbidden City in Beijing. A formidable undertaking, the change in venue meant gaining government approval (an act of foreign diplomacy in itself), as well as overcoming the daunting challenges posed by both the Forbidden City's immense space and Chinese cultural orthodoxy. Scenery needed to be adjusted, costumes created (some 2,000 workers spent four months embroidering 900 authentic Ming Dynasty costumes) extras (Chinese soldiers and drummers) trained to fill the vast stage, and three casts assembled to meet the strenuous vocal demands of nine straight performances. The saga of these technical feats leads up to the tension of a public dress rehearsal (canceled because of rain), the historic opening performance, and the thrill and relief when it goes off with “not one glitch.” While the subject matter alone would make this a fascinating documentary, Miller's peerless directing and editing (with Donald Klocek) skills kick it up a notch. Scenes of everyday life in Beijing juxtaposing modern activity with ancient traditions provide cultural insights, while the music and performance are beautifully integrated into the flow of events leading up to the thrilling conclusion. Despite the minor quibble that some of the long shots are murky (frustrating, given the scope of the production), this should still be regarded as essential for any performing arts collection and is highly recommended for general collections. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Reed)