Turandot 1

In legendary China, the beautiful but deadly Princess Turandot has decreed that any suitor who wishes to marry her must solve three riddles. Those who fail face execution. Prince Calaf, a wandering royal in disguise, becomes enchanted by Turandot's beauty and accepts the challenge despite warnings from his devoted servant Liu and his father, the exiled King Timur. Calaf miraculously answers all three riddles correctly, winning Turandot's hand. However, the proud princess refuses to accept her fate and begs her father, the Emperor, to release her from the bargain. Calaf, moved by her resistance and seeking genuine love rather than forced submission, offers Turandot a counter-wager: if she can discover his name before dawn, he will forfeit his life. The princess tortures the kingdom through the night, but Liu's selfless devotion and sacrifice ultimately lead Calaf to reveal his identity. Turandot, transformed by witnessing such pure love, finally surrenders her heart.