Turandot

Opera concept renderings created with Vectorworks and Photoshop.

Scenic Design| University of California Irvine | 2018

Puccini's three-act opera Turandot has a libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni. Ancient China's mythical Peking is the opera's setting. Princess Turandot refuses to marry, and Calaf, the Prince of Tartary, vie for her love.

Act I: The Mandarin announces that any prince wanting to marry Princess Turandot must answer three riddles. He will be executed if he answers incorrectly. Calaf, who loves Turandot, arrives in Peking and sees the latest rejected suitor beheaded. Calaf risks his father Timur and his slave girl Liu's disapproval to win Turandot's heart. He solves the riddles, and Turandot begs the Emperor not to make her marry Calaf. However, Calaf is so in love with Turandot that he challenges her to guess his name by dawn and sacrifice his life.

Act II: Peking celebrates Turandot and Calaf's wedding. But Turandot worries about falling in love with Calaf and losing her independence. She interrogates Liu, who loves Calaf and knows his name, to discover his identity. Liu dies to protect Calaf after being tortured. Liu's sacrifice makes Turandot appreciate love.

Act III: Turandot asks Calaf to guess her name in the finale. Calaf correctly guesses her name, but instead of taking his prize, he challenges Turandot to guess his name and he will willingly die. Turandot finally tells Calaf her name after realizing she loves him. Calaf kisses Turandot and declares his love. A triumphant chorus celebrates love ends the opera.