Synopsis of Giacomo Puccini’s Opera “Turandot”
Act I
The story takes place in ancient Peking, in front of the Imperial Palace. Every suitor who wishes to marry Princess Turandot must answer three riddles. Those who fail are executed. Among the crowd gathered to witness the execution of the Prince of Persia, Calaf, an exiled Tatar prince, encounters his father, Timur, and the devoted Liù, who faithfully serves him. Upon seeing Turandot, Calaf falls in love with her at first sight. Despite the warnings of the imperial ministers Ping, Pang and Pong and the threat of death, he decides to take the challenge. Timur and Liù try to dissuade him, but Calaf strikes the great palace gong, publicly declaring his decision.
Act II
At the palace, the imperial ministers Ping, Pang and Pong express their weariness with the constant bloodshed and imagine the peaceful lives they long for. Emperor Altoum and Turandot then appear. Turandot recalls her ancestor, Princess Lo-u-Ling, who suffered a violent fate centuries earlier, and explains that she has sworn never to submit to any man. Calaf successfully answers all three riddles. Turandot refuses to accept her defeat. Calaf then offers her one final chance: if she can discover his name before dawn, he will willingly accept death; if she cannot, Turandot must marry him.
Act III
Turandot orders the entire city to discover Calaf’s name, and no one is allowed to sleep. Calaf sings the famous aria “Nessun dorma,” expressing his confidence in victory. In an attempt to learn his name, Timur and Liù are arrested. Although Turandot’s soldiers torture Liù for the secret, she refuses to reveal it and takes her own life to protect the man she loves. Liù’s sacrifice deeply moves Turandot. In the end, Calaf reveals his own name to Turandot and places his fate in her hands. Turandot accepts the transformation that love has brought to her heart and announces before the people that the unknown prince’s name is “Love.” The opera ends with their union and the triumph of love.
