The legend of the beautiful, but icy, Princess Turandot is the basis for the last of Giacomo Puccini’s operas – in fact he did not live to complete it. The Chinese background to the story is amply reflected not only in the staging but in the skillful use of original Chinese themes in the music.

The great open-air Arena at Verona is ideally suited to the spectacular chorus scenes which constitute such a significant part of this opera. The title role is taken by the Bulgarian soprano Ghena Dimitrova, with Nicola Martinucci as the unknown Prince Calaf, Cecilia Gasdia as the slave-girl Liù and Ivo Vinco as Timur.