ACT I
The mythic past. Outside the Imperial Palace, an edict is read to the crowd: Any prince seeking
to marry Princess Turandot must answer three riddles. If he fails, he will die. The most recent
suitor, the Prince of Persia, is to be executed at the moon’s rising. Among the onlookers are the
slave girl Liu, her aged master, and the young Calaf, who recognizes the old man as his long-lost
father, Timur, a vanquished king. Only Liu has remained faithful to him, and when Calaf asks
her why, she replies that once, long ago, Calaf smiled at her. The mob cries for blood but greets
the rising moon with a sudden fearful silence. As the Prince of Persia goes to his death, the
crowd calls upon the princess to spare him. Turandot appears and wordlessly orders the
execution to proceed. Transfixed by the beauty of the unattainable princess, Calaf decides to win
her, to the horror of Liu and Timur. The three ministers of state, Ping, Pang, and Pong, appear
and try to discourage Calaf, but he is unmoved. He reassures Liu, then strikes the gong that
announces a new suitor.

​

ACT II
Ping, Pang, and Pong lament Turandot’s bloody reign, hoping that love will conquer her and
restore peace. Their thoughts wander to their peaceful country homes, but the noise of the crowd
gathering to witness the riddle challenge calls them back to reality.

From his throne, the old emperor asks Calaf to reconsider, but the young man will not be
dissuaded. Turandot arrives. She recounts the story of her beautiful ancestor, Princess Lou-Ling,
who was abducted and killed by a conquering prince. In revenge, Turandot has turned against
men and determined that none shall ever possess her. Trumpets then herald the beginning of the
riddles. Turandot poses her first question to Calaf: What is born each night and dies each dawn?
“Hope,” Calaf answers correctly. Turandot continues: What flickers red and warm like a flame,
yet is not a flame? “Blood,” Calaf replies after a moment’s thought. Shaken, Turandot delivers
the third riddle: What is like ice but burns, and if it accepts you as a slave, makes you a king?
Tense silence prevails until Calaf triumphantly cries “Turandot!” The crowd erupts in joy, and
the princess vainly begs her father not to give her to the stranger. Hoping to win her love, Calaf
offers Turandot a challenge of his own: If she can learn his name by dawn, he will forfeit his life.

​

ACT III
At night in the Imperial Gardens, Calaf hears a proclamation: On pain of death, no one shall
sleep until Turandot learns the stranger’s name. Calaf is certain of his victory, but Ping, Pang,
and Pong try to bribe him to leave the city. As the fearful mob threatens him to learn his name,
soldiers drag in Liu and Timur. Calaf tries to convince the crowd that neither of them knows his
secret. When Turandot appears, commanding Timur to speak, Liu replies that she alone knows
the stranger’s identity and will never reveal it. Soldiers torture her, but she remains silent.
Impressed by her fortitude, Turandot asks what gives Liu the strength to resist. It is love, she
replies. When the torture intensifies, Liu tells Turandot that she, too, will know the joys of love.
Then she snatches a spear and kills herself. The crowd forms a funeral procession, and Timur
follows as they take away her body. Turandot remains alone to confront Calaf, who impetuously
kisses her. Knowing emotion for the first time, Turandot weeps. Calaf, now sure of winning her,
reveals his identity.

​

Once again before the emperor’s throne, Turandot declares she knows the stranger’s name: It is
Love.