China's Zhang Yimou to direct Turandot at Bird Nest
AFP
BEIJING - Chinese film director Zhang Yimou will return to Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium, scene of his spectacular Olympic opening ceremony, to stage a version of the opera Turandot, state press said Thursday.
The October 6-7 production will coincide with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and mark Zhang's return to the Bird's Nest 14 months after he wowed the world at the start of the 2008 Games.
"Compared to the Forbidden City production, we will use many advanced and modern approaches to make a unique edition," the paper quoted Zhang saying in a videotaped message to a press conference Wednesday.
Promoters of the event are expecting up to 100,000 people to attend each of the two performances of the Giacomo Puccini opera about the love story of a Chinese princess.
There are also plans to tour with the performance in South Korea, Australia and Europe, the promoters said.
Besides directing the 2008 Games opening ceremony, Zhang is also known for blockbusters such as "Hero" and the "House of Flying Daggers," and has been nominated three times for an Oscar for best foreign film.
According to the China Daily, Zhang is also involved in directing a huge military parade on Tiananmen Square to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of new China on October 1.
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