Turandot Finale

In a ceremony before the palace, Princess Turandot reveals the stranger's name to her father, the Emperor. It is not simply Calàf, but Love. The crowd celebrates the never ending happiness love brings to the world.

THE CROWD
Ten thousand years of life to our Emperor!

TURANDOT
Noble father...
I know the stranger’s name!
His name is...Love!

THE CROWD
Love!
O Sun! Life! Eternity!
Love is the light of the world!
Our never ending joy
sings out with delight in the Sun!
Glory to you! Glory to you!

Turandot, Giacomo Puccini’s final opera, centres on love – the fear it provokes in the Princess Turandot, who has vowed never to marry, and its ultimate power.

Any prince seeking her hand must answer three riddles. If he fails, he must die – a fate which leaves Turandot unmoved. Prince Calàf falls in love with Turandot at first sight and successfully answers her three riddles. She pleads with the emperor not to be given to this unknown man, so Calàf gives her a riddle of his own. If she answers correctly, he will agree to die; if not, she must marry him. He gives her until dawn to discover his name.
Turandot decrees that no one will sleep until she learns the name of her suitor; otherwise, everyone in the city will be killed – hence Calàf’s aria, “Nessun Dorma”. In her attempts to avoid her fate, Turandot captures Calàf’s father and a slave girl, Liu, who loves Calàf and knows his name. She refuses to reveal his secret and kills herself to protect him.
Calàf kisses his “Princess of Death” who now realises the stranger's name is "Love."

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