M8U2 The universal language

2. M8U2 The universal language

3. How much do you know about music?

4. ● music: ● people related to music: ● musical instruments: classical music, pop music, folk music, swing music, blues, jazz, rock and roll, rap, opera… musician, singer, composer, pianist, violinist… guitar, piano, violin, drum, trumpet…

7. Zhang Yimou. Have you seen any of ZhangYimou’s films? What else has Zhang Yimou directed besides films?

8. M8U2 READING Turandot in Beijing A r_____ of an opera review

9. Check answers Answers A 1 Turandot is an opera that tells the story of a cold-hearted Chinese princess, named Turandot, who lives in the Forbidden City. To avoid marriage, she says that any potential husband must answer three riddles correctly or die. 2 Giacomo Puccini wrote the opera. The final scene was completed by Franco Alfano, one of his students, based on Puccini’s notes after he died. 3 It was performed outdoors.

10. Turandot in Beijing As a reviewof an opera What can you predict will be included in the review?

11. Reading strategy: Reading a review of an opera How is a review of an opera usually organized? • the background information of the opera background information It usually starts with some________________________. It goes on to__________________. • the brief description of the story talk about the story Then it gives some other important information such as___________________. • the information about the performance the actors’ names evaluation Finally it gives an____________. It may include lots of very______________________________________ . • the writer’s evaluation descriptive words that reflect feelings

12. Fast-reading : match paragraphs with related information para. (2,4,5,6&7) • the background information of the opera • the brief description of the story para.1 para. (3&8) • the information about the performance

13. Detailed-reading : para.1 • the background information of the opera para. (3&8) • the information about the performance para. (2,4,5,6&7) • the brief description of the story

14. Let’s read for • the background information of the opera (para.1) • The writer: • The place where the story happened: an Italian composer Giacomo Puccini in Beijing’s Forbidden City

15. Let’s read for • the information about the performance (para.3&8) • the setting: • the director: • the conductor: • the main actors and actresses:

16. the setting: in the Forbidden City in Beijing Q1. Why does the writer think that the Forbidden City is a good setting for Turandot? Q2. What were used as a stage curtain in the performance? Q3. What were used to announce the start of the opera?

17. Let’s read for • the brief description of the story (para.2,4,5,6&7) • Main characters of the story • The development of the plot • Try to retell the story

18. Main characters of the story: Turandot --- a Chinese princess Calaf --- a prince Liu --- Calaf’s father’s slave

19. Turandot The story takes on a classic _____________ love triangle Calaf Liu

20. The development of the plot T F 1. Turandot is the story of a warm-hearted Chinese princess. F 2. Calaf sees Turandot for the first time and falls in love. T 3. Anyone who wants to marry Turandot must answer three riddles or be driven away. F 4. Turandot is glad when Calaf answers the questions correctly . F 5. Turandot does not have to marry Calaf if she can guess his name by sunrise . T 6. Liu is threatened and terrified by Calaf because she knows his name . F F 7. Liu kills herself by using her own sword.

21. Groupwork: (work in pairs) Imagine you were Turandot (Calaf / Liu), and then tell your story to others in the first person. For example: I am Turandot , a princess in China. I don’t want to……

22. The plot? Calaf falls in love with recites the answers to guess his name unconditional love Doesn’t want to get married dies for him being tortured kills herself Turandot Liu desperate to know threatens & terrifies The ending:________________________ win her affection; get married

23. Let’s read for the writer’s evaluation The descriptive words that reflect feeling 1. … was splendid. (line 3) 2. The opera …, which was so moving that the audience fell silent. (line 32) 3. However, in this wonderful production, … (line 47) 4. … the key components of this amazing production (line 50)

24. Consolidation Fill in the forms after the Task-Based reading:

25. Turandot—a Chinese 2_________； Calaf—a 3_______；Liu—Calaf’s father’s young 4_______ princess characters prince slave Beijing’s 5_______________ Forbidden City The story takes on the classic love 6________ of the three main characters Turandot, Calaf and Liu. 7______loves Calaf, but Calaf has fallen in love with 8_______. Because Turandot does not want to 9get______ , she declares that anyone who wants to marry her must answer herthree 10 _______. If the one cannot answer these questions, he will be 11______. triangle Liu Turandot married riddles killed

26. Zhang Yimou Director 12 ______________ 13_________, an internationally famous conductor born in 14______. Zubin Mehta India Sharon Sweet—Turandot; Barbara Hendricks—Liu; both from 15______. Kristjan Johannsson form 16______—Calaf; other singers and musicians from abroad and 17_______. the USA Iceland China

27. Different editions of Turandot

30. A discussion Someone says the opera Turandot would be a greater success if all the actors and actresses were Chinese. Chinese would perform better, because the story is set in China. Do you agree? Why or why not?

31. Homework: • Work in groups to talk about a Western or a Chinese opera that you are familiar with. • ( the writer; the main characters; the setting and the plot … ) • 2. Try to write a review of an opera or a musical performance. (when and where; with whom; the director; the conductor; the actors and actresses; yourevaluation…)