Section_ⅠWelcome to the unit & Reading - Pre­reading

　　[原文呈现]

　　Turandot in Beijing

　　by Jane Jones

　　Last night, I witnessed① the first of only eight performances of Giacomo Puccini's world­famous opera, Turandot, being performed② in the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. The performance was splendid③. Some of the world's greatest opera singers were cast④ in this production, and many great Chinese musicians also participated⑤. Puccini, an Italian, wrote Turandot towards the end of his life, between 1920 and 1924. He liked East Asia very much and also wrote Madam Butterfly⑥， which is set in Japan⑦.

　　Just imagine⑧ performing such an opera in the Forbidden City - there could not be a more⑨ awesome⑩ setting! You could almost feel the history. The weather was also perfect for a performance outdoors. Instead of a stage curtain, there were decorated screens covered with red and gold⑪ , and traditional Chinese drums were used to announce the start of the opera.

　　Turandot is the story of a stubborn⑫ and cruel Chinese princess⑬， named Turandot⑭， who lives in the Forbidden City in Beijing⑮.In the story, the emperor of China, Turandot's father, has promised to allow her to choose her own husband. In order to avoid marriage, she says that any potential⑯ husband must solve three riddles⑰ if he wants to marry her. Those who cannot answer all three riddles, however, will be condemned to⑱ death. This means that few men would dare⑲to ask for her hand in marriage⑳. The story begins when a prince\s\up1(21(21) is killed for failing to solve her riddles. The emperor finds the death disturbing\s\up1(22(22).However, although he would like to, he cannot break his promise\s\up1(23(23) and must allow Turandot to do as she wishes.

　　[读文清障]

　　①witness v．目击，亲眼看见 n．目击者，证人

　　②being performed ... 是现在分词的被动式作定语，表示现阶段正在进行的动作。

　　③splendid adj.壮丽的，华丽的，辉煌的，灿烂的

　　④cast/kɑːst/vt.& vi.选派角色；投射(光、影)

cast sb. in a role/a part/the lead 让某人出演某角色/主角