Turandot

Act One

A man announces the law pertaining to the Princess Turandot; "Any man who desires to wed Turandot must first answer her three riddles. If he fails, he will be beheaded." Many suitors have attempted to win the hand of the Princess Turandot, but none have succeeded and all been led to their deaths. The Prince of Persia has just failed to answer the riddles and is sentenced to be beheaded at moonrise. The gathering crowd in front of the Palace is beaten back by the imperial guards, and an old blind man, the former King of Tartary, Timur, is thrown to the ground. Liu, his beautiful slave girl, calls for help, and a young man comes forward. It is revealed that this man, Calaf, is the Prince of Tartary and the long-lost son of Timur. The two are overjoyed to be reunited, but exercise caution because Timur has fled his country after being taken over by the Chinese. Liu is the only member of the kingdom that remains faithful to Timur. Prince Calaf asks her why she is so