The Man Made Monster
Turandot is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini. The story is set in China, and involves prince Calaf, who falls in love with the cold princess, Turandot. She gives three riddles to all the suitors who want to marry her as revenge for her ancestor who was raped by a conquering prince. If the suitors give false answers she kills them. Calaf passes the test, but Turandot hesitates to marry him. He agrees to die if she is able to guess his real name. She announces that no one can’t sleep until she learns his name. After torturing Calaf’s servant, Liu, to find out his name, she atones and realizes her monstrous behavior. Eventually, the opera ends as she says the prince’s name, and that is “love.”
