Jackie Chan's 'Turandot' debuts at Guangzhou Opera House

On the evening of May 8, as Enrique Mazzola's baton fell, Calaf's "Nessun Dorma" lifted the roof off the Guangzhou Opera House, and the audience gave the show a thunderous applause.

Ivan Gyngazov (L) as Calaf and Ewa Plonka as Turandot. Photos by Li Yijian

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the premiere of Puccini's classic opera “Turandot,” and this timeless masterpiece, based on a Chinese story, has returned in a stunning new form. The centennial edition of the opera, with kung fu star Jackie Chan as the stage director, unveiled the 2026 Guangzhou Arts Season. 

A scene of "Turandot."

Produced by We Opera Studio with soprano Tian Hui as artistic director, this edition brings together a top-tier creative team from China and Italy, reinterpreting this classic with contemporary visuals.

As the curtains drew, a spotlight shone on the left side of the orchestra pit, where Li Wenbo, a percussionist from the China National Traditional Orchestra, performed a three-minute opening drum piece. On stage, martial arts actors wielding various traditional weapons engaged in combat drills.

Enrique Mazzola conducting the live orchestra during the debut of "Turandot."

Earlier, Chan explained his motivation for directing the opera: "I believe that although film and opera are different in form, they are essentially both about telling stories that resonate with audiences." Chan has always been eager to take on new challenges. Regarding this opera project, he said, “’Turandot’ presented a new possibility of artistic expression for me. I hope to bring the rhythm, aesthetics, and the essence of Oriental culture onto the opera stage."

Chan explained, "Incorporating martial arts elements into ‘Turandot’ isn't just for creating a spectacle. I wanted it to become an organic part of the show, to drive plots forward and convey a sense of urgency at times, and also to reveal the inner world of the characters."

Turandot and her avatar on stage.

In this version of “Turandot,” each main character has a martial artist avatar present on stage throughout — as a symbolic manifestation of the character's soul, emotions, and spiritual strength. Zhang Feng, the production's martial arts choreographer from the Jackie Chan Film Academy, serves as the avatar for Prince Calaf. As the singing unfolds, Zhang performs martial arts movements to interpret the character’s emotions and inner struggles. 

The production uses "water" as a central recurring image, building a stage that is both poetic, tense, and fluid. Images of water channels, fountains, and undercurrents run throughout, complemented by a revolving stage, spatial layering, and video projections, resulting in a fluid visual narrative akin to cinematic shots.

A dance scene of the new production.

It also integrates video projections, LED imagery, cinematic lighting, and multimedia technologies to create an immersive visual experience for the audience.

After its premiere, the show will tour cities including Xiamen and Chengdu, before heading overseas.

Supported by the Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation, the production features five musicians from the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. The foundation is also a public benefit partner for the show's world tour.