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Turandot in Beijing
北京《图兰朵》
by Jane Jones
Jane Jones著
Last night, I witnessed the first of only eight performances of Giacomo Puccini's world-famous opera, Turandot, being performed in the Forbidden City in Beijing, China.
昨天晚上，我观看了乔柯摩·普契尼世界闻名的歌剧《图兰朵》八场公演中的首场，这次演出是在中国北京的紫禁城举行的。
The performance was splendid.
这次演出非常棒。
Some of the world's greatest opera singers were cast in this production.
几位世界顶级歌剧演唱家在其中担当主演。
and many great Chinese musicians also participated.
许多杰出的中国音乐家也参加了演出。
Puccini, an Italian, wrote Turandot towards the end of his life, between 1920 and 1924.
普契尼是意大利人，在1920年至1924年间，他在临终之际创作出《图兰朵》。
He liked East Asia very much and also wrote Madam Butterfly, which is set in Japan.
他很喜欢东亚，他的另外一部作品《蝴蝶夫人》是以日本为背景的。
Just imagine performing such an opera in the Forbidden City -- there could not be a more awesome setting!
想象一下这样一部歌剧在紫禁城里上演—没有比这更令人难忘的地方了！
You could almost feel the history.
你几乎可以感受到历史。
The weather was also perfect for a performance outdoors.
当时的天气对户外演出也是再适合不过了。
Instead of a stage curtain, there were decorated screens covered with red and gold,
刷成红色和金色的隔板取代了屏幕，
and traditional Chinese drums were used to announce the start of the opera.
而且用传统的中国鼓来宣布开场。
Turandot is the story of a stubborn and cruel Chinese princess, named Turandot, who lives in the Forbidden City in Beijing.
《图兰朵》讲述的是一位固执残酷的中国公主的故事，她的名字叫图兰朵，住在北京的紫禁城中。
In the story, the emperor of China, Turandot's father, has promised to allow her to choose her own husband.
故事中，中国的皇帝，图兰朵的父亲，向她承诺自己选择丈夫。
In order to avoid marriage, she says that any potential husband must solve three riddles if he wants to marry her.
为了逃避婚姻，她提出任何来提亲的人如果想要娶她，都必须猜出三个谜语。
Those who cannot answer all three riddles, however, will be condemned to death.
但是，那些无法回答所有三个问题的人，将被处死。
This means that few men would dare to ask for her hand in marriage.
这就意味着很少人敢向她求婚。
The story begins when a prince is killed for failing to solve her riddles.
故事一开始是一位王子由于猜不出她的谜语而被杀死。
The emperor finds the death disturbing.
皇帝发现死亡令人不安。
However, although he would like to, he cannot break his promise and must allow Turandot to do as she wishes.
但是，即使他想要，他也不能违背他的誓言，必须允许允许图兰朵按自己的意愿做事。
