Exactly 90 years ago, on April 25, 1926, the premiere of the last opera of the last Italian classic took place at the Teatro alla Scala. Since then, the mysteries of the incomprehensible princess of the East and the mysterious operatic heroine of the West have haunted singers, directors, and the public. Puccini's most passionate, philosophical, fabulously exotic opera does not leave the stage of the largest theaters and opera festivals.
The legend of the beautiful daughter of Heaven, the cruel princess Turandot, fascinated the Venetian Carlo Gozzi back in the 18th century, and he dedicated one of his fairy tales for the theater to her. In the 19th century, Gozzi's tale was re-read and rewritten, quoted and commented on. In the 20th century, the myth of Turandot found its perfect expression in Puccini's opera.
Turandot is doomed to hatred - this is her ancestral curse.
- Horror lives forever in my heart. Nobody gets me. There are three riddles - but there is one death!
- There are three riddles - but one life! - objects Calaf, whose heart is aflame with love.
Is a happy ending possible for these two? Will the princess, who has become the culprit of so many deaths, be given insight and love? This is the fourth riddle of the opera that Puccini left us. He did not manage to finish his "Turandot" and directors in the 21st century are looking for an answer to this question ...
