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FindingTurandot

by Claudia Polzin, Independent Consultant
or Opera lovers Puccini’s of the cold Princess Turandot, who challenges her suitors to answer
Turandot is considered to three riddles or face death. A prince from Tartary; Calaf falls in
F be Puccini’s greatest opera. love with her and manages to solve the riddles. But Turandot is
Puccini began working on Turandot in still reluctant to marry him, but he offers her a way out; if she can
May of 1920 after meeting with librettists guess his name by dawn, he will die. The opera ends with Turandot
Giuseppe Adami and Renato Sioni. learning his name and accepting his love.
However, he became impatient waiting Before you go to the Opera – being held on April 27 at 8 p.m. at
for the text and began the work on the Artis—Naples presented by Gulfshore Opera and the Naples
opera himself. The name of the opera was Philharmonic Orchestra – see if you can solve the three riddles:
derived from the Persian – Turandokht – a name frequently given -What is born each night and dies at dawn.
to princesses in Persian poetry. Turan is a region in Central Asia -What flickers red and warm like a flame, yet is not fire.
that was once a contraction of dokhtar (daughter). -What is like ice, but burns like fire.
Puccini strove for authenticity by using music from the region, The most famous aria from the opera – is Nesum dorma – this
even commissioning a set of 13 custom made gongs. Eight of the aria is sung in the final act by Prince Calaf who hears the decree
themes from the opera appear to be based on traditional Chinese that no one in Peking will sleep until Turandot learns the name
music and anthems. of her suitor. If she does not learn his name, everyone in the city
By March of 1924 Puccini had completed the opera up to the will be killed. This aria is the most impressive of tenor arias in the
final duet. He continued in October when the fourth version of operatic repertoire featuring an astronomically high top B at the
the duet was chosen. However, two days later he was diagnosed climax of the work.
with throat cancer. He planned to go to Brussels for treatment, Adding to the excitement of this production is the role of Prince
but visited Arturo Toscanini and literally begged him saying: Calaf will be played by Leonid Shoshyn, dramatic tenor at Odessa
“Don’t let my Turandot die.” However, he died on November National Opera in Ukraine. Gulfshore Opera is honored to provide
29,1924 and never heard the opera performed. When he died his American debut in this beloved opera. Leonid was enjoying
the first two of three acts were completed and eventually Franco an international career in Europe when COVID hit, and then his
Alfano was chosen to finish the opera. homeland was invaded. Since then, Leonid has served
When the opera premiered on April 25, 1926 at LaScala in 8 months active duty. When he returned to the beloved city of his
Milan, Italy, Arturo Toscanini conducted. However, he ended the birth, Odessa, he and his colleagues bravely continue to perform in
th
opera in the middle of Act III because that was where Puccini the beautiful 19 century Odessa Opera house while the country is
had ended his writing prior to his death. Reports claim that under attack.
Toscanini said “where the opera ends, left incomplete by the Hope you will enjoy this beautiful opera and the
death of poor Puccini” and the curtain was lowered. Subsequent opportunity to hear this very talented cast.
performances include the end that was written by Alfano.
The synopsis of the story, which is set in China, tells the story
38 Life in Naples | March 2024