Baritone-turned-tenor Baek Seok-jong shapes new 'Turandot'

This was the newly translated Korean subtitle for "Nessun dorma" (None Shall Sleep) in "Turandot," performed four times from July 22 to 26 at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center.

In Puccini's original, Calaf declares that his kiss will break Turandot's silence and make her his own.

In this new production, however, the language of conquest was replaced with one of emotional connection, emphasizing "the meeting of hearts." It was the clearest expression of director Chung Sun-young's central message: "Sometimes losing is winning." Produced by the Seoul Arts Center to mark the 100th anniversary of "Turandot," the production was based on the version completed by Puccini's student, Franco Alfano, after the composer's death.

While retaining the score, it offered a fresh interpretation of the opera's ending.

Several Korean subtitles were rewritten to stress reconciliation and coexistence, and Calaf's controversial forced kiss of Turandot was omitted from the stage.

During his aria "Principessa di morte" (Princess of Death), the subtitle read, "Receive the kiss through which both of us t ...