Techniques for Singing Classical Excerpts from Turandot

Abstract

          With Chinese director Zhang Yimou directing and performing Turandot in Italy, China, South Korea, and several European countries, the opera has become an even more popular topic of discussion. The fact that Turandot can be performed for a long time is mainly due to the fact that generations of singers have injected different emotional experiences and interpretive features into the opera and arias, which has made the opera and the arias gained great charms. The "Chinese factor" in the music of Turandot and the values of the Chinese point of view are also one of the reasons for its popularity. To sing the music of Turandot, it is necessary to understand the origin of the music and to interpret its meaning. The Chinese tunes and melodies quoted in whole or in part in Turandot, and some of Puccini's own melodies characterized by the pentatonic scale are important factors in foreign composers' attempts to express Chinese culture. The different styles of interpretation by different singers undoubtedly need to be based on such cultural characteristics. But even if foreign singers sing, they need to understand the spirit and culture of China, and show the historical characteristics of Chinese culture, while Chinese singers need to be careful about the musical singing techniques and timbre changes.