Performance

Although the immediate inspiration for the libretto of Turandot was Carlo Gozzi’s play, one cannot overlook the influence of Friedrich Schiller’s romantic translation, which introduced the story of the Chinese princess to Western culture. Today, however, it is thanks to Giacomo Puccini’s opera that this tale has permanently entered the theatrical repertoire. Although the composer’s death prevented him from finishing the opera himself, Turandot remains an artistically complete work.

The story of the eponymous “bloody” Chinese princess gave Puccini the impetus to create a monumental piece, with expansive choral scenes and demanding solo parts. The Orient, with its exotic allure — a great fascination of the composer — is vividly evoked in the music through refined stylisation and colourful orchestration. Puccini masterfully infused the fantasy of the libretto with deep emotional truth and genuine feeling. He even incorporated authentic Chinese melodies and instruments to capture the exotic character of the setting in his music.

And although Turandot is not an opera driven by action, Puccini achieves true mastery in the characterisation and in building musical tension throughout the work.