【Turandot】Synopsis, Character Map

A Mandarin
People of Beijing! This is a decision. To marry Turandot, you must solve three riddles. If you fail to solve them, you will be beheaded. Today the Prince of Persia dies.

Popolo di Pekino!

All
Execution! Right now! We are waiting for the executioners. If the executioners do not show up, we will come for them.

Please someone help us. An old man has fallen. Somebody?

Son, are you alive?

Silence! The one who stole your crown is looking for you and me.

I lost the battle and fled the country. Then I heard Liu’s voice calling me. She helped me all the way.

Who are you? Why did you save my father?

I am a slave of your land. For in the distant past you smiled upon me in your palace.

The Executioner
Let us sharpen our swords. Where Turandot reigns, our work will never cease.

All
There are three riddles. Death is one. Who will sound the gong this time?

All
Why is the moon rising so late? Let me see you in the sky. You look pale and bloodless. Executioner, the moon has risen.

The boys
The storks sang in the mountains to the east. But the flowers did not bloom in April, and the snow did not melt. Princess, come down here. For with you, everything will bloom and shine.

All
Grant him pardon. How powerful are his steps as he goes to his execution. Strangely, there is joy in his eyes.

Turandot is a cruel woman. I can’t help but curse her.

Turandot is a divinely beautiful woman. Is it a miracle or a dream?

Son, what’s wrong?

Figlio, che fai?

Can’t you feel her scent wafting through the air?

Liu, tell my son. There is no salvation here. Take his hand.

Let’s walk away from this place.

Do you want to die like him?

I get her beautiful.

Ping, Pang, and Pong
Don’t move, what are you doing? Surely Turandot is beautiful, but she is only one. You should marry many women. So stop trying to solve the riddle.

Fermo! Che fai?

Turandot’s servants
Be quiet. The princess is resting.

Silenzio!

Ping, Pang, and Pong
We will prevent you from ringing gongs.

My son, do you want me, an old man, to wander the world alone?

Please listen. My prince. Your father will lose his son and I will lose the smile I once saw on your face. I want you to stop this challenge.

Signore, ascolta!

Do not cry, Liu. If on some distant day I smiled at you, forgive me on account of my former smile. If I die, do not abandon my father, but take care of him. My country is ruined. I do not care what happens to me. Let me try to solve Turandot’s riddle!

Non piangere, Liù!

Ping, Pang, and Pong
Hey, Pang. Hey, Pong. The man has rung the gong. Let us prepare for the wedding and the funeral. I want to go home. If only the princess would wake up to love, the country would be at peace.

Olà, Pang! Olà, Pong!

The Emperor
A terrible oath haunts me. I will not have the blood of young men like you spilled.

Un giuramento atroce

Let me try.

A Mandarin
People of Beijing! This is a decision. To marry Turandot, you must solve three riddles. If you fail to solve them, you will be beheaded.

The boys
Princess, come down here. For with you, everything will bloom and shine.

A long time ago, a voice of despair sounded in this palace. That voice belonged to my ancestor, Princess Laurin. She was raped by foreigners.

For her revenge, I have three riddles for you men. This is how I will avenge men like you.

Three riddles, one death.

In questa reggia

No, three riddles, one life!

Hear, O foreigner.

It is what people seek in the darkness. What is it that is born at night and disappears at dawn?

Straniero, ascolta

It’s hope.

It is like a flame, but it is not a flame. What is it that grows cold when it loses its power and burns when it dreams of conquest?

It’s blood.

If you seek freedom, it makes you a slave. If you become a follower, it makes you a king. What is the ice that gives fire?

Turandot!

Never try to make me marry him!

The Emperor
I’ve had many men solve riddles, just like you wanted. He has solved the riddle. As promised, you will marry this man.

Are you forcing me to marry you? I do not want to. I am trembling!

O haughty princess. I want you who is burning with love. You gave me three riddles and I solved them. I will give you one. You do not know my name, do you?

Answer my name before dawn. If you answer my name, I will die.

Officials
Princess Turandot has issued an order to the citizens. None of the people of Peking may sleep. If we do not find the name of the man before dawn, we will be put to death by the Princess!

No one shall sleep. Not you, Princess. No one knows my name. My kiss will melt your silence. I will triumph over the dawn.

Nessun dorma

The voices of women
No one knows his name. We will die! We are going to die!

What do you want from me?

Ping, Pang, and Pong
We will give you beautiful women and treasures. We want you to take them and go. If you leave, we will be saved. Otherwise, the princess will kill us. You do not know the cruelty of the princess.

I don’t want women or treasure. If the world falls apart, I want Turandot.

All
You’ll never get the princess! Now, tell us your name.

Soldiers
They should know the man’s name.

They don’t know my name.

Ping, Pang, and Pong
They were talking to this man last night.

Ping, Pang, and Pong
We torture them and get his name out of them.

O stranger, you are pale. I shall soon learn your name. Torture this old man.

I am the only one who knows what his name is.

She knows nothing.

Why do you stubbornly refuse to tell me the man’s name?

Princess, it is love. Even torture is a pleasure to me. For by my deeds I help him.

Principessa, l’amore!

All
Torture her.

I can bear the torture no longer. The icy princess will know his passion and love him.

Tu che di gel sei cinta

Oh, terrible things have happened.

All
A pure girl has died. How cruel.

O Princess of Death! You are a cruel woman. This is the blood of the woman you ordered to be tortured.

Principessa di morte!

Don’t come near me. My soul is in heaven.

Your soul may be in heaven, but your body is here. I will press my lips to yours. Be mine!

Are you crying?

You have triumphed over me. Please leave with your secret.

My riddle is no more. I will tell my name. My name is Calaf.

I finally know your name! It’s time to solve the riddle.

You win.

I know the name of this man. His name is Love!