Is There A Good Way To Contextualize ‘Turandot’ For 2019?

The Canadian Opera Company is trying to figure that out, but it’s complex. The pseudo-Asian characters Ping, Pang, and Pong have been renamed in Toronto, but tenor Julius Ahn, who sings Pang (now named Bob) has some questions. “”Why can’t we be funny? Why can’t we be silly? Why can’t we be complex? Why can’t we be lighthearted? Why can’t we be mean? Can’t Asians be crass onstage? For me, art itself needs to be inclusive.” – CBC