Expect a culturally immersive experience when the Shanghai Opera House comes to Dubai this week.
Founded in 1956, it is China’s oldest opera institution, and throughout the years it has built a formidable repertoire fusing the East with the West.
Its latest production, Turandot, runs from Thursday, September 5 until Saturday, September 7. Turandot is the last major work by Puccini, and is based on a Persian collection of stories titled 1,001 Days. The plot is set in ancient Peking and follows Prince Calaf's epic attempt to win the heart of the icy Princess Turandot.
The production may have been performed by many of the world’s biggest opera companies, but according to Shanghai Opera House tenor Han Peng, who takes on the role of Calaf, audiences can expect a more authentic spin in Dubai.
"This version produced by Shanghai Opera House is a brand new one. [Through the] set and costumes, many Chinese elements are in this production," he says. "Turandot tells a story happening in China, so it must be more original with Chinese artists on stage."
When it comes to the show's longevity – it has been performed regularly since its rapturous debut in 1926 in Milan's Teatro alla Scala. Peng says its popularity derives from the balanced structure.
Everyone gets a chance to shine in Turandot.
"First of all, it is without any doubt that Puccini's music is successful and exquisite, with some elements of Chinese folk songs," he says. "Nearly every character in Turandot has beautiful arias, which makes it so loved among the audiences after all these years."
When it comes to his own role, Peng has the responsibility of delivering arguably the most emotional high point of the night, with the stirring aria Nessun Dorma. Translated to None Shall Sleep, the piece is performed in the final act, where Calaf is alone in the moonlit palace gardens. The lyrics add to his pained reflections on the unrequited love he has for the princess.
To say this heartbreaking lament took on a life of its own is an understatement. The aria nearly reached the top of the charts when a 1972 recording by Luciano Pavarotti was used as the theme song for the BBC's television coverage of the 1990 Fifa World Cup in Italy. The song was also covered by legendary guitarist Jeff Beck and trumpeter Chris Botti – they released instrumental versions in 2010 and 2007, respectively.
For Peng, the aria played a major role in elevating his career. He performed the piece as part of his performances to win the 2009 Turandot Opera Competition in Italy.
To deliver the aria the way it is intended, Peng says it requires a calm mind and a certain zeal. "This aria is very difficult with a lot of high pitches," he says. "It's definitely more difficult to approach in opera productions [than singing competitions], but I have this confidence, and will also perform in my style."
It is this sense of identity that Shanghai Opera House general director Xu Zhong hopes will distinguish this version of Turandot from the others.
“This new version, embellished by its magical sets and magnificent costumes, reinterprets the cross-cultural story after an entire century,” he says. “It takes on a unique charm by combining the Eastern and Western civilisations from the other side’s perspective.”
Turandot by Shanghai Opera House will be at Dubai Opera from today until Saturday at 8pm. Tickets cost from Dh300 from dubaiopera.com
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Racecard
6.35pm: American Business Council – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.10pm: British Business Group – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: CCI France UAE – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
8.20pm: Czech Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,400m
8.55pm: Netherlands Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Indian Business and Professional Council – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
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