Opera Study Guide: Libretto Opera Tradition

Turandot is based on an ancient fable, originating in Persia and set in China. It tells of a princess so desirable that men came by the hundreds, from all over the world, and queued up to vie for her love. There was a catch, of course. To have any shot at all with Turandot, a suitor first had to answer three vexing riddles — and anyone who failed wound up with his head on a stake, as a warning to all the suitors still standing in line.



The opera tells us about the one fellow who did solve the riddles. But winning the heart of Turandot turns out to take more than just three clever answers.

A comprehensive guide featuring Principal Characters in the Opera; Brief Story Synopsis; Story Narrative with Music Highlight Examples; a new LIBRETTO with Italian and English translation side-by-side - and Music Highlight Examples; and Burton D. Fisher's in-depth and insightful Commentary and Analysis