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.

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　　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

　　⑤participate v．参加，参与，常与介词in连用。

　　⑥butterfly/'bʌtəflaI/n.蝴蝶

　　⑦which is set in Japan是which引导的非限制性定语从句，修饰Madam Butterfly。

　　⑧imagine doing ... 想象做......

　　⑨not ...a more ...否定词与比较级连用，表达最高级意义。

　　⑩awesome/'ɔːsəm/adj.极好的；令人惊叹的

　　⑪过去分词短语作后置定语，修饰screens。

　　⑫stubborn/'stʌbən/adj.固执的，顽固的

　　⑬princess/ˌprIn'ses/n.公主

⑭过去分词短语作定语，修饰princess。