I recently had the occasion to attend the Met in NYC for the first time. I think I am becoming an opera lover! (It all started when I watched this video of Dmitri Hvorostovsky and I was completely smitten!)
The opera we saw performed was "Turandot" and we also just so happen to have a beautifully illustrated book version of it. The sets and costumes at the Met were spectacular. The audience literally gasped during the second act when the scenery was revealed (apparently Franco Zeffirelli created this production). The whole performance was gorgeous. And of course the Nessun Dorma performed by Roberto Alagna gave me chills.
Turandot
Marianna Mayer
illustrated by Winslow Pels 1995
The story is a Chinese folk tale about a beautiful princess, Turandot, who refuses to marry. She sets up a series of riddles for any would be suitors that results in their death should they fail. Soon the city is decorated with all the failed paramours' heads on pikes and the people are weary of all the death. Only when a new young prince arrives determines not to fail is Turandot's icy heart finally melted by love.
Interestingly, Marianna Mayer is the first wife of another author/illustrator that we love- Mercer Mayer.
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