Turandot by Giacomo Puccini, chronicle of a historic premiere at the Scala in Milan. On April 25, 1926, the master Arturo Toscanini interrupts the execution of the famous opera with these words: "Here the work ends because at this point the Master is dead. Death was stronger than art ".
The libretto of the opera is taken from a play by Carlo Gozzi. The musical composition of Turandot remained unfinished due to the composer's death in 1924. The love story of Turandot and Calaf was then completed by Franco Alfano thanks to the elaboration of the texts and notes by Maestro Puccini.
Turandot, Toscanini's 'no' to Mussolini
The historical before the opera is put at risk by a 'diplomatic incident' of a political nature. The Duce, Benito Mussolini, asks that the Fascist anthem be performed before the staging of the Turandot Youth.
Toscanini, proud anti-fascist, firmly opposes the request by placing the theater management in front of an aut or: “O Toscanini or Giovinezza!”. The Fascist anthem is not performed but the Duce does not participate in the premiere either.
Turandot, the 'frost-covered' princess
Turandot is a Chinese princess from the times of the fairy tales. A beautiful but sad woman who embodies the spirit of a raped and murdered ancestor. Hence his great hatred and contempt for men. Her rebelliousness towards the opposite sex does not upset her father, the Emperor Altoum who instead pushes her to marry.
Unable to avoid paternal pressures, Turandot resigns himself to the idea of marriage but to one condition. She will marry the noble who will be able to guess the three riddles she will propose. If the suitor fails in the enterprise he will be sacrificed.
Prince Calaf
Calaf, prince of Tatar, solves the puzzles proposed by the beautiful Turandot. The princess is desperate because at this point she has to get married but her heart is refractory to any leap of love. Then Calaf proposes an enigma to her too: if before dawn there Princess he will guess his name, then he will perish. In reality, it will be the prince himself who reveals his name to the icy princess after kissing her passionately. A kiss that will melt the icy heart of the beautiful and unhappy Turandot.
Nessun dorma
Nessun dorma. It is certainly one of the most famous romances in the world; one of the lyrical pieces that still delight the demanding audience of music lovers in theaters all over the world. The first tenor it was sung by Miguel Fleta in 1926. The romance is sung by Calaf at the beginning of the third act when the 'unknown prince' awaits the dawn and therefore also his destiny.
No sleep! You too, o Princess, in your cold room look at the stars that tremble with love and hope. But my mystery is closed in me, my name no one will know! Only when the light shines, on your mouth I will say it quivering! And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine! Vanish, O night! Set, stars! I'll win at dawn!