<<  -- 2 --  Roderic Dunnett    FRESH AND ENGAGING

The Chisinau National Opera's Turandot, first seen in the UK a few seasons ago, is arguably (along with Pagliacci and Madam Butterfly), their most successful staging to date. Some have argued that Eugen Platon's staging, now fifteen years old, looks dowdy. On the contrary, I found it riveting : superb costumes, leering masks, stairway to heaven throne, crotchety emperor, Mikadoesque triple officials, imaginative chorus blocking, and above all the principals -- all as strong, fresh and engaging as if Turandot were newly staged yesterday.

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