Giacomo Puccini's Turandot premiered posthumously in 1926. Based on a play by Carlo Gozzi, the title character Turandot is a fierce princess who lures suitors with her beauty but makes suitors answer the three riddles before they can win her hand. If the suitor fails, he is put to death. Upon seeing her, brave Calaf steps forward against the will of those around him, to chance his life for the princess. He succeeds in her indefatigable challenge, much to the princess's dismay. Long ago, her beautiful ancestor was kidnapped and killed at the hands of a prince, leading Turandot to forsake all men. Calaf in turn extends a challenge to her that if she can correctly guess his name by morning, he will sacrifice himself.
