Turandot

This lavish production of Giacomo Puccini's unfinished opera tells the story of the ice-cold Princess Turandot, who decrees that any suitor who wishes to marry her must first answer three riddles. Those who fail are beheaded. Calaf, a captured Tartar prince, falls in love with Turandot and successfully answers the riddles, but then offers her a riddle of his own: his name. If she cannot discover his name by dawn, she will be his wife.

Franco Zeffirelli's visually stunning 1987 production of 'Turandot' for the Metropolitan Opera was widely praised for its grandeur and spectacle. The staging, costumes, and overall visual design were considered breathtaking, creating an immersive operatic experience. While some critics noted that the vocal performances, particularly those of the principals, were solid rather than transcendent, the production as a whole was lauded for its ability to bring Puccini's dramatic and exotic tale to life with immense power and beauty.

• Praised for its opulent and spectacular visual design, characteristic of Zeffirelli's work.

• The production successfully captured the dramatic and exotic atmosphere of Puccini's opera.

• Vocal performances were generally considered competent, though perhaps not historically groundbreaking for some roles.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this 1987 production is not readily available.

Franco Zeffirelli is renowned for his elaborate and cinematic approach to opera productions, and the 1987 'Turandot' is no exception, featuring massive sets and hundreds of extras to create a truly epic visual scale.