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Puccini in China

A singer prepares to perform in Puccini's "Turandot" in May during the 2009 Beijing Opera festival at the National Center for the Performing Arts. In the 1960s and ’70s, when opera was deemed a capitalist indulgence, Puccini’s “Turandot” was the most despised. Many Chinese thought the opera insulting, with its depiction of a despotic Chinese princess who has her suitors beheaded if they can't answer three riddles.

A singer prepares to perform in Puccini’s “Turandot” in May during the 2009 Beijing Opera festival at the National Center for the Performing Arts. In the 1960s and ’70s, when opera was deemed a capitalist indulgence, Puccini’s “Turandot” was the most despised. Many Chinese thought the opera insulting, with its depiction of a despotic Chinese princess who has her suitors beheaded if they can’t answer three riddles.  (Elizabeth Dalziel / Associated Press)

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Puccini’s operas are at the top of the hit parade in China. In recent years, there have been at least six productions of “Turandot.” His “Tosca” opened China’s first bona fide opera festival, held at the new performing arts center this year. Another version of “Turandot” has been commissioned for 60th anniversary celebrations of China’s Communist revolution in October.

Puccini in China

Singers perform an aria from “Turandot” at a news conference in Beijing in May. In recent years, there have been at least six Chinese productions of “Turandot.” Filmmaker Zhang Yimou, who is staging a version for China’s 60th anniversary at the National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, also directed a $15-million spectacle in 1998 inside Beijing’s Forbidden City.  (Alexander F. Yuan / Associated Press)

Puccini in China

A musician rehearses in the orchestra before a performance of “Turandot” in May during the 2009 Beijing Opera festival, China’s first, held at the new performing arts center from mid-April to early July. Four out of nine full-length operas in the festival were Puccini works, with “Tosca” opening the event. They were were interspersed with revolutionary classics such as “Daughter of the Communist Party.”  (Elizabeth Dalziel / Associated Press)

Puccini in China

A violin player heads to her position at the orchestra pit ahead of a performance of “Turandot” during the 2009 Beijing Opera festival at the National Center for the Performing Arts. A 2007 version of the opera was set in modern-day Shanghai with the successful suitor, Calaf, solving the riddles by surfing the Internet.  (Elizabeth Dalziel / Associated Press)

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