Cinema Urban

Capricious Princess Turandot fountain sculpture

Capricious Princess Turandot fountain sculpture
Symbolic for Vakhtangov Theater, Capricious Princess Turandot fountain sculpture. Author – Alexander Nikolaevich Burganov (born March 20, 1935)

Capricious Princess Turandot fountain sculpture

Who is Princess Turandot? According to legend, Turandot is the proud and self-willed daughter of the Chinese Emperor Altoom. In general, she is famous for her refuses to marry. And the reason is that she is sure that all men are “insidious, deceitful in heart, and they can not love.” So, to avoid a hated marriage and not upset her father, who because of her led many wars, Turandot comes up with a cunning plan. In particular, she asks to inform everyone that any prince may have a chance to marry her. But provided that she will offer the applicant three riddles, and a prince who can solve the riddles will become her husband. However, who won’t be able to solve them – will lose his head.
Meanwhile, the golden sculpture of the princess is part of the fountain, known as the “Princess Turandot” Fountain. Located on Arbat Street in Moscow, the fountain appeared in 1997 in front of the entrance of the E.Vakhtangov Theater. In addition, it commemorates the 850th anniversary of Moscow and the 75th anniversary of the production of “The Princess Turandot” by Carlo Gozzi’s fairy tale.

Golden sculpture of Princess Turandot
Golden Capricious Princess Turandot fountain sculpture at Vakhtangov Theater

The team who worked on the sculpture architects M. Kharitonov, Z. Kharitonova, M. Belov, sculptor Alexander Burganov, and the restorer A. I. Smolyaninova, who performed blacksmith works. The structure is an oval granite cup. In the center of this cup on a high pedestal, the gilded princess is sitting on the throne. This is a capricious Turandot, who became an iconic figure and talisman of the theater named after E. Vakhtangov.

Located far from the pedestrian zone, the fountain is on a small square opposite the entrance to the theater. According to the architectural style, the monument organically fits the surrounding Arbat. Around the monument fountain is a long stone bench, which has become a popular place for lovers. In the evenings, illuminated fountain gives the Arbat even more romanticism and mystery.

Sadly, once evil people, deceived by the non-ferrous metal, sawed off her hand, but the princess was restored in all its gilded beauty to the joy of the Old Arbat.

Soviet and Russian sculptor Alexander Nikolaevich Burganov (born March 20, 1935, Baku, USSR) – doctor of art, teacher and professor. He is a Member of the Presidium, Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts (1997 and Corresponding Member (1988). People’s Artist of the RSFSR (1988), Laureate of the State Prize of the USSR (1982) and the State Prize of Mongolia (1987).

On the Russian – Soviet scene, the Chinese princess appeared in 1922, thanks to the efforts of the theater under the leadership of Evgeny Vakhtangov. “The Princess Turandot” performance became a classic of the genre and the hallmark of the Vakhtangov Theater.

Meanwhile, established in 1991 theatrical prize “Crystal Turandot” honors this famous performance. The award bears the name of the princess, who became in Russia a symbol of theatricality. The ceremony takes place in a bright theatrical form with elegant concert performances according to the original script. Traditionally, laureates receive a crystal figure symbolizing the exacting Chinese princess.

Initially, the award was officially named “The Higher Theater Award” Crystal Turandot “, and since 2009 -” The First Theater Award “Crystal Turandot”. In connection with the renaming, the appearance of the main prize has changed. In addition, “Crystal Ball of Crystal Turandot” takes place – with creative performances, in honor of the winners of the award.

Capricious Princess Turandot fountain sculpture

Book illustration, Princess Turandot
Book illustration, Princess Turandot
Brighella, Tartaglia, Pantalone and Truffaldino in Carlo Gozzi's fairy tale about the princess Turandot. Developed in the XVIII century, modern porcelain figurines
Brighella, Tartaglia, Pantalone and Truffaldino in Carlo Gozzi’s fairy tale about the princess Turandot. Developed in the XVIII century, modern porcelain figurines
Donetsk Theater of Opera and Ballet. princess Turandot
Donetsk Theater of Opera and Ballet. princess Turandot
Fountain in Arbat, Moscow
Fountain in Arbat, Moscow
Fragment of Arbat Fountain
Fragment of Arbat Fountain
Located in front of Vakhtangov theater, its symbol - Princess Turandot
Located in front of Vakhtangov theater, its symbol – Princess Turandot
Scene from the play Turandot of the State Buryat Academic Theater
Scene from the play Turandot of the State Buryat Academic Theater
Turandot sculpture
Turandot sculpture
Vakhtangov Theater on Arbat, Fountain
Vakhtangov Theater on Arbat, Fountain
Logo of Chrystal Turandot Award
Logo of Chrystal Turandot Award
Marina Yesipenko, leading the prestigious awarding ceremony 'Crystal Turandot', actress of the Vakhtangov Theater (since 1987)
Marina Yesipenko, leading the prestigious awarding ceremony ‘Crystal Turandot’, actress of the Vakhtangov Theater (since 1987)
Prize, known as Crystal Turandot
Prize, known as Crystal Turandot
Performance 'Princess Turandot, 1922
Performance ‘Princess Turandot, 1922
Poster of 1922. princess Turandot
Poster of 1922. princess Turandot