Puccini's "Turandot"

This majestic lyric drama is set in ancient China during the age of fables. A royal decree is read stating that Princess Turandot will marry any royal suitor who can answer her three riddles. To take the test and fail means death, and the recent loss of the head of the Prince of Persia marks the thirteenth such failure. Calaf, the unknown prince, succumbs to Turandot’s great beauty and accepts her daunting challenge. Calaf successfully answers Turandot’s riddles, but rather than forcing her to marry, he counters with a riddle of his own. If by dawn she can discover his name she is released from her pledge. To illustrate the depth of his love, at dawn he reveals his own secret, placing his destiny in her hands.

With its large cast of exotic characters and grand choruses, this fairy tale fantasy bursts with color and excitement as the lush romanticism of Puccini’s glorious music carries us to the magical ending in which love triumphs over all!

For tickets, go to www.neworleansopera.org