Turandot is one of the greatest masterpieces created by great Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, which is his last work as well. The story of Turandot was taken from the Persian collection of stories called The Book of One Thousand and One days in the 17th Century. Though Puccini's first interest in the subject was based on his reading of Friedrich Schiller's adaptation of the play, his work is most nearly based on the earlier text Turandot by Carlo Gozzi in 1762.

Eight of the themes used in Turandot are based on traditional Chinese music, consisting mainly of popular Chinese folk songs created in the early 1920s (represented by the melody of Jasmine) and earlier songs. The première of Turandot was at La Scala, Milan on April 25, 1926, conducted by Arturo Toscanini. In the middle of Act III, two measures after the words "Liu, poesial", the orchestra rested and Toscanini stopped and laid down his baton. He turned to the audience and announced: "Here the opera ends, because at this point the maestro died." The opera was given an entire performance the next day.


A Classic Reborn in China
From March 21 to 26, 2008, the lavish production of Turandot opened and made its debut at the Opera House of National Centre for the Performing Arts. The Chinese opera circle will present the Chinese princess on the same stage again to make their contribution to Beijing Olympic Games on August 29 through September 2, 2008.

The new production of Turandot is under the direction of Chen Xinyi, a renowned female director in China and the Centre has commissioned Chinese composer Hao Weiya to write the first "Chinese edition" sequel of this classical work. Gao Guangjian, who designed the sets for the Forbidden City version, designs the elaborate settings for the new version as well.

The première of Turandot is the symbol of an attempt of Chinese opera circle. Not only is the Centre an art organization, it is also the center for the nation's performing arts. Therefore, the significance of the new production of Turandot should be understood in terms of creating a showcase to demonstrate to the world our stance on the study of Western art and progress so far achieved. In so doing, Western artists will be informed about our familiarity with their own art forms and, more importantly, we strive to show to the world as a whole that the China has always attached great importance to the issue of world culture studies. To this day all western artists were impressed and surprised when they first learnt about the new production of Turandot.


Synopsis
The Princess Turandot has vowed that she will only marry the man of royal blood who shall solve the three riddles she has set. If he attempts and fails, he will be beheaded. The Unknown Prince joins the crowd, speaking of Turandot as evil and cruel. When she appears, her radiant beauty captures his heart. While the Prince answers all the riddles, the Princess refuses to marry him. He offers that, if she can discover his name before he will release her from her oath and allow himself to be executed. Turandot demands the name of the Unknown Prince, threatening to torture Timur and Liu for an answer. The icy Princess is shocked by Liu's suicide and conquered by his passionate kiss. The Prince, sure of his victory, tells her his name. As the people hail, Turandot announces that the name of the Prince is – Love.