Chasing the Curse: Tracing the Turandot Legend around the World

In the world of opera, few legends are as infamous as the Turandot curse. It is said that any production of Giacomo Puccini's final opera, Turandot, is jinxed with bad luck. Over the years, countless disasters and mishaps have plagued performances of this hauntingly beautiful opera. The curse is said to have originated with the composer himself, who tragically passed away before completing Turandot. Many believe that his unfinished work left behind an aura of doom and misfortune. Some even say that Puccini's spirit haunts any production of Turandot, seeking revenge for his untimely demise.

Some even say that Puccini's spirit haunts any production of Turandot, seeking revenge for his untimely demise. One of the most famous instances of the Turandot curse occurred during the opera's premiere in 1926. As the story goes, a chandelier crashed onto the stage during the final act, narrowly missing the performers.

The Curse of Turandot (2021)

The plot follows Princess Turandot, who is cursed by a mysterious power emanating from three Mazovian bracelets that were given to her as birthday gifts. These bracelets’ life-draining effects cause the princess to become cruel, and gradually lose her humanity. Foreign princes who come to court her must solve three riddles, one for each bracelet, and only then will she be freed from the power of the bracelets. In the event any of the questions is answered incorrectly, the attempted solver would be put to death. One day, Calaf, an ordinary citizen, risks his life to answer the riddles to save her and inadvertently uncovers his own extraordinary past. (Source: Amanda N'Duka at IMDb) Edit Translation

• English
• magyar / magyar nyelv
• עברית / עִבְרִית
• dansk

• Native Title:图兰朵：魔咒缘起
• Also Known As:Turandot , Tu Lan Duo , Tu Lan Duo: Mo Zhou Yuan Qi , San Se Zhuo: Po Mi Chong Sheng , 图兰朵 , 三色镯：破谜重生 , 圖蘭朵 , 圖蘭朵：魔咒緣起 , 三色鐲：破謎重生
• Director:Zheng Xiao Long
• Genres:Adventure, Romance, Fantasy, War
• Tags:Hidden Past, Curse, Princess Female Lead, Ophthalmological Disorder, CGI, Master-Disciple Relationship, Cold Female Lead, Star Crossed Lovers, Color Blindness, Royalty(Vote or add tags)

• Country: China
• Type: Movie
• Release Date: Oct 15, 2021
• Duration: 1 hr. 51 min.
• Score: 7.2 (scored by 304 users)
• Ranked: #7604
• Popularity: #6058
• Content Rating: Not Yet Rated
• Watchers: 1,434
• Favorites: 0

Cast & Credits

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Reviews

Dylan Sprouse was what made me want to watch, the movie itself kept me watching . . .

I had been eagerly waiting to watch this movie ever since I had heard of and saw the the trailer not once but three times even.
I found it so refreshing to have an American actor that I had grown up watching (Suite Life on Deck) included in this production and I must commend him on his efforts and how well he portrayed his character it made me happy to see him speak mandarin.
I did quite enjoy this movie and although having never heard of the supposed opera it is based off, I found myself very much fascinated and besotted with the storyline. It was intriguing the way the story played out and I was stunned by the mesmerising visual effects which I was very impressed with especially the way the bracelets fused with her skin and how vibrant the fireworks were. It was also quite nice that it was more of a reversed damsel in distress as well, the amount of times she ended up saving him :D
I enjoyed the couple pairing and would have liked to have seen a bit more of them together after they had come to realise the truth and that were in fact on each others side all along having been innocent children at the time of the disaster cause.
Although the ending was somewhat obvious and to be expected it was still slightly unfortunate but it didn't leave me too disheartened as he continued onwards to achieve his dream.
To be honest I must have been too much into the movie as I didn't pay all that much attention to the music, oops, but I certainly enjoyed those that were cast for their roles very much and wouldn't mind at all watching it again if I got bored one evening.

The film is certainly a visual treat, from what the trailer has shown: dramatic, sweeping shots of Ancient China, and the signature martial arts and swordwork known to the wuxia cinema. Wuxia, meaning martial (wu) chivalry (xia), is a sub-style of Chinese martial arts film. According to the British Film Institute , “the wuxia martial arts movie takes place in a world of swords, sorcery, chivalry and romance.” And that’s definitely what Turandot appears to be bringing to audiences with this fantastical adaptation.

This incident was followed by a series of accidents and illnesses among the cast and crew, leading many to attribute the events to the infamous curse. Since then, there have been numerous other instances of the curse striking productions of Turandot. From sets collapsing to singers falling ill, the curse seems to manifest in various ways. Even attempts to change or alter the production have not been able to lift the curse's dark cloud. Despite the legends and superstitions surrounding the Turandot curse, the opera continues to be performed around the world. Directors, performers, and audiences alike remain intrigued by its haunting melodies and timeless story of love and sacrifice. While some view the curse as nothing more than coincidence and bad luck, others cannot help but feel a sense of unease when encountering Turandot. Perhaps it is the power of suggestion or the weight of history that lingers in every note. The curse may forever remain an enigma, a warning to those who dare to perform Puccini's final masterpiece. In the end, the Turandot curse serves as a reminder of the complexities of art and the mysteries that surround it. It is a testament to the enduring power of opera and the enduring fascination with the supernatural. Whether the curse is real or simply a product of imagination, one thing is certain: the legend of Turandot will continue to captivate and intrigue audiences for generations to come..

Reviews for "Puccini's Unfinished Symphony: How Turandot's Curse Halted the Composer's Work"

1. John - 1 star - The Turandot Curse Preview was a complete disaster. The performances were lackluster, with the actors seeming disinterested and the singing off-key. The set design was unimaginative and the costumes looked cheap. The whole production felt rushed and sloppy, leaving me extremely disappointed. Save your money and skip this one.

2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for The Turandot Curse Preview, but it fell short of my expectations. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters. The pacing was uneven, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. The music was the only saving grace, but even that couldn't redeem the overall disappointing experience.

3. Mark - 1 star - The Turandot Curse Preview was a complete waste of time and money. The acting was amateurish, and the dialogue sounded forced and unnatural. The choreography was sloppy, with the dancers often out of sync. I was left scratching my head wondering how a production with such potential could be so poorly executed. I would not recommend this to anyone.

4. Lily - 2 stars - The Turandot Curse Preview had its moments, but overall, it fell flat for me. The set design looked dated, and the props seemed cheaply made. The performances lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with the characters. While there were some visually stunning scenes, the overall experience was underwhelming. I had hoped for more, especially considering the hype surrounding the production.

5. Michael - 1 star - The Turandot Curse Preview was a huge letdown. The music was ear-splittingly loud, drowning out any attempts at coherent storytelling. The costumes were garish and over-the-top, distracting from the already weak performances. Overall, the production felt chaotic and disjointed, leaving me wishing I had spent my time and money elsewhere. I cannot recommend this to anyone looking for a quality theater experience.

Fatal Attractions: Love and Tragedy in Turandot's Curse