Christopher Tin to Release Special Turandot Edit for Yuma Kagiyama's Olympic Free Skate on Streaming Platforms
American composer Christopher Tin has announced plans to release a special edit of his completion of Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot on streaming services, following strong demand from fans. This edit was specifically crafted for Japanese figure skater Yuma Kagiyama's free skate program at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Grammy-Winning Composer Tailors Music for Elite Skating
Tin, a two-time Grammy Award winner, collaborated with choreographer Lori Nichol to develop a four-minute and 17-second competition cut. This version condenses his original 18-minute finale to accommodate the rigorous demands of elite figure skating, including jumps, footwork, and built-in rest periods. Tin stated on social media platform X, "Because of the response from the figure skating community, I've decided to release Yuma's special figure skating edit of my completion of Turandot on streaming services." He is currently in Milan to watch Kagiyama perform.
Contrast with Recent Music Rights Disputes in Figure Skating
This move stands in contrast to recent disputes at the Olympics, where musicians have challenged skaters over permission to use their work, leading to last-minute program changes and public conflicts. For instance, Spanish skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate nearly faced prevention from performing his Minions-themed short program due to a rights issue, and U.S. skater Amber Glenn was involved in a dispute with Canadian artist Seb McKinnon over music rights. Both cases were eventually resolved, highlighting the complexities of music licensing in competitive sports.
Significance of Kagiyama's Program and Historical Context
Kagiyama's free program has garnered significant attention for its timing, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Turandot's premiere at La Scala opera house in Milan. The sweeping operatic arrangement is expected to resonate deeply with the home crowd, steeped in the opera's rich history. Tin made a point to visit La Scala during his trip to Milan, underscoring the cultural connection.
The arrangement was recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the English National Opera Chorus, and soloists Christine Goerke and Clay Hilley. Puccini died in 1924 before completing Turandot, and there have been five different endings since, including Tin's contribution.
Other Custom Scores in Men's Singles Free Program
Kagiyama's program is not the only bespoke score featured in the men's singles free skate on Friday. Gold-medal favorite Ilia Malinin has opted for a starkly different approach, incorporating his own spoken lines over his chosen soundtrack to create a meditation on pressure and possibility, showcasing the diversity of musical innovation in figure skating.
