Zhang Yimou and the production team responsible for the memorable opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics will reunite for an epic production of the classic opera Turandot on October 6 and 7 at the National Stadium, which is also known as Bird Nest. A contemporary adaptation of Puccini’s original, the opera is to coincide with the festivities surrounding the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China.

Turandot is not new to Zhang. The Chinese adaptation, which Zhang first directed in 1998 when it was staged at the Imperial Ancestral Temple of the Forbidden City, is regarded as one of the director’s masterpieces.

Zhang promised, however, that the October performance would be totally different. “It will be modern. We will use many modern and unique techniques to present the opera,” said Zhang.

According to Chen Weiya, deputy chief director of both the opera and the Olympic opening ceremony, the biggest feature of the new adaptation would be the use of new high tech stage and multimedia equipment, especially in the field of visual effects.

The performance will incorporate 3D imagery as a way to draw out the opera’s characters, though director of visual effects Yang Qingsheng refused to reveal further details. “I cannot talk too much right now. The innovations we will achieve in visual effects are confidential surprises we are saving for the audience,” said Yang.

The crew admitted that presenting an opera in the Bird’s Nest was a real challenge, even though they were all experienced with the venue. “The biggest challenge is how to attract the audience’s attention throughout the performance,” said Chen.

Sha Xiaolan, who oversees lighting design for the opera, confirmed that they would pioneer many new multimedia techniques during the opera to better engage the audience. “The Bird’s Nest is already a unique venue, which requires us to combine it with modern and simple stage design, while still remaining true to the plot.”

According to Sha, the crew will employ some of the same techniques used during the Olympics, such as large-scale projectors, but added that, “The Olympics are all about resplendence and grandeur, while an opera should be elegant.”

“Because the venue is so huge, the stage is more than 100 meters from the closest audience, who will have to watch the details from LED screens. So if we do not exaggerate lighting designs, they might be bored,” Sha added.

Sha also revealed that the stadium’s acoustics were another challenge faced by the team. “We’ve tested the sound system several times in the venue, but found several huge issues. But we now have an international team on this matter and we will present a top sound experience by then.”

The cast is still under discussion, but Jiang Feng, Dai Yuqiang and Yao Hong, who have worked with Zhang before, are all possible candidates.

Director Zhang Yimou.