Turandot | Ferruccio Busoni Puccini Festival 2026

Please pay particular attention to the dress code:
The management reserves the right to deny entry to anyone wearing attire deemed inappropriate for the theatre’s decorum. Tickets in such cases will not be refundable. Shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or beachwear are not permitted. Food and drinks are not allowed in the stalls, and helmets, trolleys, or glass objects may not be brought inside.

Turandot – Ferruccio Busoni (1917–1918)

General Information:
"Turandot" is an opera in three acts composed by Ferruccio Busoni between 1917 and 1918, based on the libretto by Carlo Gozzi. The opera is inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot story but reflects Busoni’s distinctive neoclassical style, combining intricate counterpoint, dramatic intensity, and expressive orchestration. It was first performed posthumously in 1926. Busoni’s Turandot emphasizes philosophical depth, moral questions, and the conflict between reason and passion, presenting a unique reinterpretation of the classic tale.

Synopsis:

Act 1 – The Challenge of Turandot:
The story is set in the ancient Chinese kingdom ruled by Princess Turandot, a young and beautiful princess who sets impossible riddles for her suitors. Anyone who fails to answer correctly is executed. Prince Calaf, a stranger, arrives in the city and is immediately captivated by Turandot’s beauty. Despite the danger, he decides to attempt the challenge. The act closes with tension as the court awaits the outcome of his attempt, setting the stage for the dramatic consequences of love, pride, and courage.

Act 2 – The Test and the Revelation:
Calaf answers all three riddles correctly, much to the astonishment of Turandot and the court. Turandot, struggling with conflicting emotions of fear, pride, and unexpected affection, attempts to resist the force of love. Calaf offers her a way to save face: he proposes that if she can learn his name by dawn, he will accept death. The act explores themes of power, vulnerability, and the human struggle between reason and desire.

Act 3 – Resolution and Transformation:
The final act focuses on the transformation of Turandot’s character. She realizes the depth of true love and surrenders her pride. When she learns Calaf’s name, the act culminates in a reconciliation between love and reason. The opera concludes with Turandot and Calaf united, and the kingdom witnesses a celebration of harmony and the triumph of compassion over fear.

Program and cast