Turandot is a grand opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni. It is the composer’s final work, which he left unfinished at the time of his death in 1924. The opera was completed by Franco Alfano and premiered at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 25 April 1926.
The story is set in Beijing in the legendary era of the Song dynasty. Turandot, the beautiful but cold-hearted princess, has sworn to avenge her father’s death and will only marry a prince who can answer three riddles. If he fails, he will be executed. Many princes have tried and failed, and their heads are now displayed on the city walls. Calaf, the unknown prince, arrives in Beijing and falls in love with Turandot. He is determined to win her hand, even if it means risking his own life.
