Opera Essentials: Turandot
Our quick guide to Giacomo Puccini’s dazzling opera of icy tension and triumphant love.
In a world of ancient legend, the beautiful but ruthless Princess Turandot will only marry a man who can correctly answer three riddles. Those who fail are brutally executed. But when an unknown prince arrives, the balance of power in Turandot’s court is forever shaken, as the mysterious stranger does what no other has been able to.
QUICK FACTS
How long does Turandot last?
Turandot lasts approximately 2 hours 55 minutes, including two intervals.
Who wrote Turandot?
Italian composer Giacomo Puccini began working on Turandot in 1920 after meeting with librettists Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni. He completed Turandot up until the final duet, but in 1924, died of a heart attack, leaving the opera unfinished. Turandot was posthumously completed by Italian composer Franco Alfano.
What is Turandot about?
Turandot is about a cold-hearted princess and the man who falls in love with her. Set in mythical Peking, Turandot explores themes of love and redemption, power and sacrifice.
What’s that melody?
One of Turandot’s most famous arias, ‘Nessun dorma’, is sung by Calaf in Act III. The title translates to ‘None shall sleep,’ referring to the decree that no one in the city can sleep until the name of the mysterious prince is discovered. Known for its soaring melody and powerful emotional depth, ‘Nessun dorma’ sees Calaf boldly declaring that he will win Turandot’s love, and that despite the danger of death, remains resolute in his pursuit of her.
Luciano Pavarotti helped popularise Puccini’s aria in the 1990s, following his performance of it for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Since then, ‘Nessun dorma’ has dominated popular culture, featuring everywhere from the Grammy Awards, in a soul-inspired version by Aretha Franklin, and the 2005 Olympics, to films like Bend it Like Beckham (2002) and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and more recently, in the second season of Netflix series Squid Game.
HISTORY
Puccini began composing his twelfth and final opera Turandot in 1920, inspired by Italian playwright Carlo Gozzi’s 1762 play. It was his most ambitious opera, incorporating exoticism, Chinese musical elements and a grand orchestral style. The work proved challenging, particularly the development of the title character and the love story.
By 1924, Puccini had completed most of the opera but struggled with the final duet. While working on it, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He died on 29 November 1924, leaving Turandot unfinished. Franco Alfano later completed the final act based on Puccini’s sketches. The opera premiered at La Scala opera house in Milan in 1926, where conductor Arturo Toscanini famously stopped the music at Puccini’s last notes, saying in reverence, ‘Here the maestro laid down his pen.’
Gallery
Turandot Characters
– Turandot – the cold and ruthless princess of China who has vowed never to marry, after one of her ancestors was wronged by a man. She subjects her suitors to a deadly challenge of solving three riddles. (Sung by a soprano)
– The Unknown Prince (Calaf) – initially a mysterious suitor, he is a brave and passionate prince from an unnamed kingdom. He falls deeply in love with Turandot at first sight and determines to win her love. (Sung by a tenor)
– Liù – a loyal, self-sacrificing and brave slave girl who serves the Emperor. She is deeply in love with Calaf, even though he doesn’t return her affections. (Sung by a soprano)
– Timur – an exiled king and the father of Prince Calaf. Liù serves as his guide, as he provides his son emotional support. (Sung by a bass)
TURANDOT SYNOPSIS
The beautiful but icy Princess Turandot will only marry a man who can correctly answer three riddles. Those who fail are brutally beheaded. But when an unknown prince arrives, the balance of power in Turandot’s court is forever shaken, as the mysterious stranger does what no other has been able to.
Act I
Princess Turandot of China has sworn an oath that no man will possess her. However, she offers her suitors a chance: if one of them can answer correctly the three riddles that she asks him, he can marry her. If not, he must die.
Inside the walls of Peking, a crowd wait for the execution of the Prince of Persia, who has failed the test of the riddles. As the guards push back the excited people, a blind old man falls, and is helped up by his companion, a young girl. A young man comes to help them and recognizes the blind man as the exiled King Timur of Tartary. He reveals himself as Timur’s son Calaf, who was separated from his father after the loss of their kingdom. Timur’s companion is Liù, a former slave, who has cared for him since their exile. It becomes clear that Liù cares deeply for Calaf.
The Prince of Persia is led in by the servants of the executioner. Turandot arrives to confirm the Prince’s death. Calaf is horrified, but, as soon as he sees the Princess, is captivated by her beauty. Despite the warnings of the ministers Ping, Pong and Pang, he vows to win Turandot himself. Liù implores him to leave with her and Timur (Signore, ascolta). Calaf tries to console her (Non piangere, Liù) but remains determined, and strikes the gong to signal his intention to woo the Princess.
Act II
Ping, Pong and Pang complain about the endless executions caused by Turandot’s obstinacy. Each longs to leave Peking and return to the peace of his country home.
Wise men arrive holding the scrolls containing the answers to Turandot’s riddles. Calaf, calling himself the ‘Unknown Prince’, is brought before Turandot’s father, the Emperor Altoum. The Emperor begs the ‘Unknown Prince’ to leave, and explains how he must die if he fails to answer Turandot’s riddles correctly. Calaf remains obstinate.
Turandot arrives for the test of the riddles. She explains the reason for her cruelty (In questa reggia). Many centuries before, her ancestress Princess Lo-u-Ling was raped and killed by an invader. Turandot sees herself as the reincarnation of Lo-u-Ling and has therefore vowed that no one will possess her. The riddles are her one concession. She reminds Calaf that their outcome has so far always been death. Calaf insists on attempting to solve the riddles. Turandot asks him: what is the ghost which all the world invokes and is constantly renewed; what flickers like a flame when a man dreams of conquest; what is frost that burns, that makes a king of the one it accepts as a slave? Encouraged by the crowd, Calaf gives three correct answers: Hope! Blood! Turandot! Turandot is now his. But Calaf does not wish the Princess to give herself to him unwillingly, and therefore proposes another test. Turandot does not know his name – if she can discover it during the night, he is prepared to die at dawn. If not, he will possess her.
Book tickets
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)