Tin Creates an “Entirely New Emotional Finish" to Turandot
Composer Christopher Tin and librettist Susan Soon He Stanton’s new ending for Puccini’s unfinished opera Turandot is praised for its powerful score and satisfying storyline.
This past May, the Washington National Opera (WNO) presented a new production of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, featuring the world premiere of a newly commissioned ending by two-time GRAMMY Award winner Christopher Tin (composer) and Emmy Award winner Susan Soon He Stanton (librettist).
The Washington Post praised the new production, directed by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, for its “refreshing finale” which was wholly reconceived to provide a more developed and emotionally satisfying ending to the opera. Christopher Tin’s “splendid musical additions” (Washington Post) thoughtfully drew on Puccini’s own motifs and sketches to create a musically seamless ending, while also introducing new “gorgeous melodic lines” (DC Theater Arts). The Wall Street Journal praised how the new ending complemented Puccini’s score: “Its sound and attitude, while contemporary, grow organically from Puccini’s original, like a savvy modern addition on a historic building."
> Watch Christopher Tin discuss the process of creating this new critically acclaimed ending.
Wall Street Journal
"The new final scene ... fits the opera neatly. Its sound and attitude, while contemporary, grow organically from Puccini’s original, like a savvy modern addition on a historic building."
Washington Post
“Washington National Opera’s new ‘Turandot’ gets a refreshing finale.”
“Tin’s splendid musical additions ... draw sensibly from Puccini’s score while applying an entirely new emotional finish”
DC Theater Arts
“Tin’s music is muscular and modern without losing satisfying, even gorgeous melodic lines.”
“This was indeed a powerful evening of grand opera.”
OperaGene
“a job well done, interesting in orchestration, pleasing to the ear, and working well coupled to the vocals containing the new libretto”
“The new production with a new ending successfully achieved its goals.”
BroadwayWorld
“enticing music of composer Christopher Tin”
“swirling and soaring music”
Reaction
"Is this new ending any good? Yes, it was brilliant, addressing many of Alfano’s inadequacies. ... it is a work that will stay the course."
"Tin’s score is exceptional ... Tin is a master of musical embroidery and subtle Puccini references abound, connecting the final scene convincingly to what goes before. It is difficult to spot the join."
> Further information on Work: Turandot
Photo: Cory Weaver / Courtesy of Washington National Opera
