Giacomo Puccini’s

SYNOPSIS

Act I. Princess Turandot has decreed that she will marry the nobleman who can answer three riddles—but the unlucky suitor who cannot will be beheaded. A Mandarin announces that the Prince of Persia is Turandot’s latest victim; he will die that very night ( “Popolo di Pekino!” ).

In the ensuing excitement, a young slave cries out that her old master has fallen. A young man bends down to help and recognizes his own father—Timur, a dethroned king. Calaf, the young prince, listens as Timur explains how he fled his conquered kingdom with the help of the slave, Liù. She explains why she has shared such misery—Calaf once smiled at her in the palace.

The Prince of Persia is led out by guards. At the sight of the handsome young prince, the crowd is moved to pity. They call for Turandot to release him, but when the princess appears, she reaffirms the death sentence. Calaf, however, is dazzled by her radiant beauty and determines to win Turandot for himself. As he rushes to strike the gong to signal his acceptance of the challenge, Ping, Pang, and Pong, three ministers of the Emperor, try to stop him ( “Fermo! Che fai? T’arresta” ). Timur and Liù add their pleas (“Signore, ascolta!” ), but Calaf can think only of the beautiful princess. Striking the gong three times, he accepts the challenge of Turandot’s riddles.

Act II. Depending upon the unknown prince’s fortune, Ping, Pang, and Pong prepare for either a funeral or a wedding—but they hope for the latter ( “Ho una casa nell ‘Honan’” ).

At the Imperial Palace, the Emperor urges the young man to turn back before it is too late ( “Un giuramento atroce mi constringe” ), but Calaf (whose name is unknown to the court) is steadfast. Turandot herself now appears. She has vowed to avenge an ancestress who was brutally raped and slain, and swears that no one will possess her ( “In questa Reggia” ). One by one, Turandot asks the three riddles. Calaf answers correctly each time. As the crowd rejoices, the horrified Turandot begs her father to release her from her own oath, but the Emperor insists that her vow is sacred. Calaf fearlessly proposes that if Turandot can find out his name before dawn, he will release her from the bargain and accept defeat and death.

Act III. Voices echo through the night: “On pain of death, none shall sleep until the name of the unknown prince is discovered.” Calaf vows to reveal his name only after he has won the princess for his bride (“” ). The three ministers and a large crowd arrive, threatening Calaf with horrible tortures designed to pry out his name. Timur and Liù are soon led in by guards, who recall that the pair had been seen speaking with Calaf.

The princess orders Timur to reveal the unknown prince’s name. Fearing for her master’s life, Liù quickly comes forward to face Turandot: “I alone know the young man’s name.” Unable to bear the tortures which Turandot orders inflicted upon her, Liù grabs a dagger from a guard and kills herself. Shocked and saddened by Liù’s death, the people carry her body away, and Timur follows in utter grief.

Washington National Opera www.dc-opera.org 202.295.2400 · 800.US.OPERA

Calaf and Turandot remain alone, facing each other. Calaf addresses the princess with burning passion. Resisting his ardent embraces as a profanation, Turandot’s coldness is ultimately conquered with a kiss (“Principessa di morte!” ). In tears, Turandot reveals that her first glance at the unknown prince filled her with both terror and longing. She begs Calaf to leave with his secret, but he puts his life in her power by telling her his name.

Turandot imperiously orders Calaf to appear before the people with her, but when the populace is assembled, Turandot announces that the stranger’s name is “Love.” The crowds rejoice as the lovers embrace.

Washington National Opera www.dc-opera.org 202.295.2400 · 800.US.OPERA