It was raining like crazy last night. Nicky (my opera buddy) and I went to the New York City Opera to see Turandot by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924).

The story starts in ancient Peking. The Princess Turandot (not sure if it’s a Chinese female name) will marry any prince who can solve three riddles, but whoever fails in the attempt must be executed. Calaf, a young Tartar prince was madly in love with her at the first sight so he determined to win her over by answering those three riddles. Everyone tries to dissuade him from walking to the jaw of death. But love makes people blind, he strikes three blows on a gong to announce himself as the new suitor.

The story goes. The price can answer those cheesy questions. But Turandot changes her mind and asks her father to allow her out of the decree. But her father refuses to do so. Calaf offers her a chance for release: if she can learn his name by dawn, then he will give up his life. If not, she must marry him.

Drama begins. Turandot travels around Peking to find someone who knows the stranger’s name. But no one knows except his father loyal slave who finally gives up her life to keep Calaf’s name. She sacrifices her life for love, such an opera story.

Calaf finally can melt the icy Turandot with his love. At the end, she announces to people in Peking that finally she knows the stranger’s name. His name is LOVE!!!

I thought it’s pretty beautiful ending but I got dizzy from that part.

Turondot is the third opera by Puccini that I have seen. The first one was La Boheme and then Tosca. I saw La Boheme at the Met but Tosca at the New York City Opera.

I like La Boheme but I did not really like Tosca. I was sort of anxious if I would like Turandot.

I love it. Even though the story is pretty cheesy and irrational (but it is an opera after all), I think the way it runs the story is very smooth and concise unlike Tosca. Moreover, the stage production is really great, the music is very beautiful and all the characters superbly perform their parts.

I have to say I am very impressed by Turandot. It kept me exciting the whole time. However, I wonder why most of the main characters of the opera have to be huge. Like in Turondot, Calaf (a Tartar prince) looks like he is an American because he is out of shape.

Tae Athikomvittaya