Zhang Yimou made full use of advanced image technologies to forge a modern feeling of Turandot. The world's largest video images, projected by 32 cine-projectors on a 1,000-square-meter screen, were deployed to render flamboyant, fiery and bright colors, replacing the realistic flavor permeating the western versions. Stage scenes such as the splendid palace, dreary execution site, southern Chinese riverside town and grand wedding hall brought to the audience a completely new audio-visual feast with modern and dreamy atmosphere.

Turandot is Italian composer Giacomo Puccini's last masterpiece. The story originates from a collection of 17th century Persian stories called "The Book of One Thousand and One Days". It tells the story of a tyrannical Chinese princess who has suitors beheaded when they fail to answer her three riddles but finally is moved by the power of love. In the debut, Italian Soprano Raffaella Angeletti plays the merciless Princess Turandot, against the protagonist Prince Calaf played by Chinese tenor Dai Yuqiang. Raffaella who comes from the hometown of opera played the role of Turandot for the first time, while Dai had played the role of Calaf for more than 100 times. The transnational cooperation of the pair delivered a performance of polish and passion that pulled the audience into a world filled with operatic wonders. The 40,000 audiences were in breathless intoxication to hear "Nessun Dorma" resonating out the top of the Bird's Nest in a sleepless night.

The curtain fell as Zhang Yimou, together with executive director Chen Weiya, Italian conductor Janos Acs and the whole crew went on stage, winning thunderous applause from the audience.