The Icy Princess

Turandot

Giacomo Puccini

High Notes

Turandot is the other dramatic soprano role to make the list.  Turandot's big number is "In questa reggia," which climbs to a high C at the end of the piece.  This C is shared by Calaf, who gets another chance to show off in the immensely famous "Nessun dorma."

A dramma lirico in three acts, 1 & 3/4 hours

Composed from 1920 to 1924 and completed by Franco Alfano from 1925 to 1926

Set to a libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni after Carlo Gozzi's dramatic fairy-tale "Turandotte"

First performed in Milan, Italy, La Scala, on 25 April 1926.

The cast at the premiere included Rosa Raisa (Turandot), Miguel Fleta (Calaf) and Maria Zamboni (Liu).

Principle Roles

• Princess Turandot.....................................................soprano
• Calaf, the unknown prince...........................................tenor
• Liu, a young slave-girl..................................................soprano
• Emperor Altoum, Turndot's father.........................tenor
• Timur, exiled king of Tartary and Calaf's father.....bass
• Ping, grand chancellor of China..................................baritone
• Pang, lord of provisions...............................................tenor
• Pong, lord of the imperial kitchen..............................tenor

The Story

An imperial decree is issued declaring that the first suitor who is able to answer three riddles posed by Turndot will win her hand in marriage. However, answering any of the riddles incorrectly will result in execution. This is the fate of many suitors, including the prince of Persia. Calaf wishes to have his chance with the icy princess, but his father as well as Ping, Pang, and Pong try to convince him otherwise. Nevertheless, Calaf takes his turn and Turandot poses her three riddles. Calaf is able to answer all three correctly. However, he offers her a chance to back out of the marriage if she can figure out his name by dawn. Every effort is made to discover Calaf's name, including the torture of Liu. However, the ever-loyal Liu commits suicide rather than give up Calaf's name. At dawn, Calaf reveals his name, but Turndot says that she has learned his real name: love.

Notable Incipits

• "Signore ascolta!" (Liu)
• "Non piangere, Liu" (Calaf)
• "In questa reggia" (Turandot)
• "Nessun dorma" (Calaf)
• "Tu che di gel sei cinta" (Liu)
• "Principessa di morte" (Turandot & Calaf)

Recommended Recordings

• Callas (Turandot), Fernandi (Calaf), Schwarzkopf (Liu)
• Nilsson (Turandot), Corelli (Calaf), Scotto (Liu)

Upcoming Performances

• October 2008-January 2009 - Prague (Statni)
• November 2008-June 2009 - Hamburg (Staatsoper)
• November 2008-July 2009 - Berlin (Deutsch Oper)
• December 2008/January 2009 - London (Royal Opera)
• January/February 2009 - Verona (Teatro)
• February/March 2009 - Philadelphia (Opera)
• April 2009 - Charlotte (Opera Carolina)
• April 2009 - Dresden (Staatsoper)
• April 2009 - Valencia (Artes)
• May 2009 - Zurich (Oper)
• May/June 2009 - Washington, D.C. (Washington Opera)
• July 2009 - Barcelona (Liceu)