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Overview

Synopsis

The famous tale of Turandot revolves around the cold-hearted Princess of Peking, Turandot, and the young Prince of Tartary, Calaf, who falls in love with her at first sight. Having deemed all men unworthy of her hand, Turandot requires her suitors to answer three riddles correctly, and if he fails, he is beheaded. Calaf attempts the riddles against the warnings of his father Timur, his father’s servant, Liù (who is secretly in love with him), and the ministers Ping, Pang, and Pong. Successfully answering the riddles, Calaf insists that Turandot marry him for love, so tells her if she can discover his name by morning, he will die for her. Turandot locks down the kingdom, and tortures everyone to try to discover his name, including Liù, who takes her own life to save Calaf. Finally, Calaf reveals himself to Turandot, and leaves his life in her hands. As he kisses her, Turandot gives into her love for him and announces to her father that she has discovered his name; “Love!” The kingdom rejoices the couple’s union, and the melting of Turandot’s cold heart.

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
Turan-Dokht by Nizami
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1926
Genres
Drama, Romance
Settings
Period, Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings, Spectacle
Time & Place
peking, china
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Optional
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
professional, low budget, College/University, Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Princess Turandot

Lead

Female

Soprano

Liù

Lead

Female

Soprano

Calàf

Lead

Male

Tenor

Timur

Lead

Male

Bass

Ping

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Pang

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Pong

Supporting

Male

Tenor

L'imperatore (The Emperor Altoum)

Featured

Male

Tenor

Un Mandarino (A Mandarin)

Featured

Male

Baritone

Il principino di Persia (The Prince of Persia)

Featured

Male

Tenor

Chorus

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

  • Scena 'Popla di Pekino!' (Mandarino, Liù, Prince Calaf, Timur, Chorus)
  • Invocation to the Moon 'Gira la cote!' (Chorus)
  • 'O giovinetto! Grazia, grazia' (Chorus, Prince Calaf)
  • Scena 'Figlio, che fai?' (Prince Calaf, Timur, Chorus)
  • 'Ferma! Che fai?' (Ping, Pang, Pong, Prince Calaf, Timur, Chorus)
  • Aria 'Signore ascolta!' (Liù)
  • Aria 'Non piangere Liù' (Prince Calaf)
  • Scene 'Noi morrem sulla strada' (Prince Calaf, Liù, Timur, Ping, Pong, Pang, Chorus)

Act Two

  • Ministers’ Trio 'Ola, Pang! Ola, Pong!' (Ping, Pang, Pong)
  • March of the Mandarins 'Gravi, enormi ed imponenti' (Chorus)
  • Scena 'Un giuramento atroce' (L'imperatore, Prince Calaf, Chorus)
  • Scena 'Popolo di Pekino!' (Mandarino, Chorus)
  • Aria 'In questa reggia' (Turandot, Chorus)
  • Scena 'No! No! Gli enigmi' (Prince Calaf, Turandot, Chorus)
  • Scena 'Straniero, ascolta!' (Turandot, Prince Calaf, Chorus)
  • Scena 'Non perditi, straniero!' (L'imperatore, Chorus, Liù, Prince Calaf, Turandot)
  • Aria 'Figlio del cielo' (Turandot, L'imperatore, Chorus, Prince Calaf)

Act Three

  • Introduction 'Cosi comanda Turandot' (Heralds, Chorus)
  • Aria 'Nessun dorma' (Prince Calaf, Chorus)
  • Scena 'Tu che guardi le stelle' (Ping, Pong, Pang, Prince Calaf, Chorus)
  • Scena 'Eccolo il nome!' (Soldiers, Chorus, Prince Calaf, Ping, Pong, Pang)
  • 'Sei pallido, straniero!' (Turandot, Prince Calaf, Liù, Chorus, Ping, Pang, Pong, Timur)
  • Aria 'Tanto amore segreto' (Liù)
  • 'Strapatele il segreto!' (Turandot, Prince Calaf, Chorus, Ping, Liù, Pong, Pang)
  • Aria 'Tu che di gel sei cinta' (Liù)
  • Scena 'Ah! parla! parla!' (Chorus, Prince Calaf, Timur, Ping)
  • Duet 'Principessa di morte!' (Turandot, Prince Calaf, Chorus)
  • Aria 'Del primo pianto' (Turandot, Calaf)
  • Finale: O sole! Vita! Eternità! (Chorus, Turandot)

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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Elena Galvan