Turandot: Synopsis, Character Map

Who are you? Why have you been so kind to my father?

I am a slave in your country. Because in the distant past, you smiled at me.

Are you going to force me to marry you?

No, Princess. I want you, who are burning with love.

You have given me three riddles, and I have solved them. You do not know my name. You have until dawn to tell me my name. If you tell me my name, I will die.

A Mandarin
People of Beijing! This is a rule.

If you want to marry Princess Turandot, you must solve three riddles. If you fail, you will be beheaded.

Today, the Prince of Persia will be executed.

All
Execution! At once! We’re waiting for the executioner. If the executioner doesn’t show up, we’ll come for him.

Can someone please help me? An old man has collapsed. Somebody, please!

It’s my father! At last, we meet.

My son, you are alive.

Quiet! The one who took your crown is looking for you and me.

I’ve been looking for you. Defeated in battle, I fled my country. That’s when I heard a woman’s voice. “Come with me. I will help you.” That voice was Liù. She wiped away my tears of exhaustion during the hard journey.

Who are you? Why have you been so kind to my father?

I am a slave in your country. Because in the distant past, in the palace, you smiled at me.

All
Turn the Whetstone. Turn it.

Gira la cote

The Executioner
We must sharpen our swords. Where Turandot reigns, our work will never be lost.

All
There are three mysteries. Death is one. Who will ring the gong this time?

All
Why is the moon late? O moon, show yourself in the sky. Pale, bloodless face. Executioner, the moon has risen.

The boys
The storks sang in the eastern mountains. But in April the flowers did not bloom and the snow did not melt. Come down to me, O Princess. For by you all things bloom and shine.

All
Please stop his execution. How powerful his steps areas he walks to the place of execution. How beautiful is his face! But there is joy in his eyes.

O giovinetto! Grazia

Have mercy on him.

All
Have mercy on him.

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

Turandot, the divine and beautiful woman. Is this a miracle? Is it a dream?

What is the matter with you, my son?

Figlio, che fai?

Don’t you feel her fragrance wafting through the air? She is truly a divine beauty. I am suffering.

Wait, my son. Liù, tell my son. There is no salvation for us in this place. I want you to take him by the hand and persuade him.

Let’s walk away from this place.

Your life is in another place.

The voice of the Prince of Persia
Turandot!

Do you want to die like him?

I will win the beauty of Turandot.

Ping, Pang, and Pong
Don’t move, what are you doing? ! No matter how beautiful Turandot is, she’s the only one. Why don’t you marry a lot of women? So stop trying.

Fermo! Che fai?

Turandot’s handmaiden
Quiet, quiet. The princess is resting.

Silenzio!

Ping, Pang, and Pong
We will stop you from ringing the gong.

I win the love!

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

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!

Don’t cry, Liù. If on a distant day, I smiled at you, I want you to remember my smile now. And I hope you will forgive me for what I am about to do.

When I die, do not abandon my father. I want you to take care of my father.

My country is ruined. I am desperate. I want to try to solve the riddle of Turandot!

Non piangere, Liù!

Ping, Pang, and Pong
Hey, Pang. Hey, Pong. The gongs have been rung. Let’s get ready for the wedding and the funeral.

Oh dear, the minister’s job has turned into preparing for the execution. I want to go back to my home. If only the Princess could find love, this country would be at peace.

Olà, Pang! Olà, Pong!

The Emperor
A horrible oath torments me. I do not want young people like you to shed their blood.

Un giuramento atroce

Let me try to solve the riddle.

A Mandarin
People of Beijing! This is a rule.

If you want to marry Princess Turandot, you must solve three riddles. If you fail, you will be beheaded.

The boys
Come down to me, O Princess. For by you all things bloom and shine.

In this palace, a long time ago, a voice of despair rang out. The voice belonged to my ancestor, Princess Lou-Ling. She was defiled by a foreign man.

I have issued three riddles to avenge her. That’s how I will avenge myself on men like you.

Three riddles, one death.

In questa reggia

No, three riddles, one life!

Hearken, ye foreigner!

It is that which people seek in the darkness. What is it that is born in the 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 becomes cold when it loses its power, and burns when it dreams of conquest?

It’s blood.

It will make you a slave if you seek freedom. It makes you a king if you become a follower. What is the ice that gives fire?

Turandot!

Don’t ever let me marry this man!

The Emperor
No, I’ve had as many men try to solve the riddle as you want. This man has solved the riddle. You will marry him according to my promise.

Are you going to force me to marry you? I am trembling so much.

No, Princess. I want you, who are burning with love.

You have given me three riddles, I have solved them. I’ll give you one. You do not know my name.

You have until dawn to tell me my name. If you tell me my name, I will die.

Officials
Princess Turandot has issued an order to the citizens. None of the people of Beijing must sleep. If, before dawn, we do not know the name of the man, we shall be put to death by the Princess!

All
If we don’t know his name, we will be executed! No one must sleep.

No one shall sleep. Nor 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 die!

Ping, Pang, and Pong
You’ve probably noticed the commotion. The people of Beijing are looking for your name.

What do you want me to do?

Ping, Pang, and Pong
We will give you the beautiful women. We will give you all a treasures.

Please go away. Without you, we’ll be saved. We’ll be killed by the Princess. You have no idea how cruel she is.

I don’t want a woman or a fortune. I want Turandot, even if the world falls apart.

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

Soldiers
They must know his name.

They don’t know my name.

Ping, Pang, and Pong
This man was talking to them last night. They must know his name.

Ping, Pang, and Pong
Princess, even if you torture them, we will get the man’s name and show you.

You are pale, a foreigner. Your name will soon be known. Torture this old man.

I am the only one who knows his name.

You don’t know anything. You’re just a slave.

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

Princess, it is love. Even torture is a joy. By me not saying his name, I am helping him.

Principessa, l’amore!

All
Torture this woman. Tell me his name, woman.

Oh, I can’t bear the torture. The icy princess will be melted by his fire. You will love him too.

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 executed.

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!

Don’t you dare be disrespectful to me! Stay away from me!

Are you crying?

You have won me. Take your victory and leave. Leave with your mysteries.

There are no more mysteries for me. Let me tell you my name. My name is Calaf.

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

…you win.

…

I know this man’s name. …His name is Love!