SHE may be the overlooked slave girl who fails to outshine the coldhearted princess in the eyes of the man she loves, but Liu was the most dazzling element of a performance that otherwise failed to set the heart alight.

Elena Dee’s soprano was beautifully clear and full of emotion as she begged Calaf the unknown prince (Irakli Grigali) not to place his life on the line for Turandot’s hand in marriage.

Her scenes were truly moving – making you wish Puccini had been kinder to the young servant whose pure character is invisible to the arrogant Calaf.

Galina Bernaz is a haughty Turandot, explaining her mission to destroy her suitors in revenge for the rape and murder of a distant ancestor.

But she lacks the passion that would have made this role really captivating.

Without that it is hard to sympathise with the unknown prince’s motives in risking his father’s life twice, as well as his own.

The lead performances were accomplished enough, but they didn’t sparkle, making the emotional journey feel muted when it should have wounded.