Ai Weiwei directs Turandot: Opera meets politics and protest!

Ai Weiwei directs Turandot: Opera meets politics and protest!

An exciting chapter in opera history opens today, October 29, 2025, with the new production of Puccini’s “Turandot” at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. This production is not only an artistic reinterpretation, but also the directorial debut of the world-famous Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Mülheim-Ruhr reports that Ai Weiwei, together with Maxim Derevianko, accompanies the ensemble of the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma in this unique project.

Ai Weiwei, who gained experience as an extra in “Turandot” in New York in his 20s, now sees the opera 35 years later as a reflection of his own origins and history. The production addresses burning issues of our time such as the corona crisis, the war in Ukraine and the protests in Hong Kong. These glaring social challenges are illuminated through a deconstructionist narrative that both breaks conventions and opens up space for social discourse.

A look into the background

The chord of “Turandot” is only partially dominated by musical sounds. According to taz, Ai Weiwei doesn't have much of a preference for opera and rarely listens to music. Nevertheless, with his project he shows an impressive artistic perspective that goes far beyond musical boundaries. The creation of the production is recorded in a film directed by Maxim Derevianko, which documents the challenges of artistic production in politically precarious times.

The film not only highlights the special relationship between Ai Weiwei and the choreographer Chiang Ching, but also shows the personalities that emerged during rehearsals. For understandable reasons, the conductor Oksana Lyniv was unable to invite her relatives to the premiere due to the war in Ukraine. This underlines the feeling of conflict that ran through the rehearsal period while the theater had to close due to corona - a historic moment in 140 years of theater history.

Ai Weiwei as a mirror of his time

Ai Weiwei is known for his politically charged installations and his sharp criticism of authority. His artworks promote human rights and freedom of expression and reflect social injustices. In his production of “Turandot,” these themes are visualized through an impressive stage set with a 3D world map that distinguishes between the rulers and the oppressed. In addition, the singers approach their performances in a statuesque manner and express emotions through a Chinese opera actor who translates the emotions.

The impressive work of art is seen as a lasting monument to the relevance of Puccini's opera after more than 100 years. aiweiweisturandotfilm highlights that the film also captures the ongoing challenges faced by artists like Ai Weiwei, thereby providing a strong political commentary on the current situation.