Summary: "Princess Turandot". Carlo Gozzi, a fairy tale "Turandot". Performance "The Princess Turandot" (Vakhtangov Theater)

The story of "The Princess Turandot" by Carlo Gozzi borrowed from the Azerbaijani poet of the 12th century who wrote in Persian. In 1712, the famous orientalist Petit de la Croix published a collection of Persian fairy tales, where it was first published. Later it could be found in the collection of fairy tales "1001 day" and "Cabinet of fairies". It was from these books that Gozzi took the plot for many of his works. Further in the article the reader will be able to find its brief content. "Princess Turandot" was a very attractive story, giving birth to the same opera and theatrical production.

Proud Beauty

Chinese emperor Altoom decides to marry his daughter - Turandot. Her beauty is legendary, but even more famous is her distrust of the strong sex. Confident that men are deceitful and incapable of loving in earnest, she secretly vowed never to bind herself by marriage.

In order not to upset her father by a direct refusal, she agrees to notify the whole world that she is looking for the groom. But the applicant for her hand and heart must pass the test - at the meeting of the Divine Wise, the princess poses three riddles. Those who can not guess them will be chopped off. And only those who give three correct answers, will be able to lead her to the crown. Despite the apparent cruelty of the test, crowds of princes flowed to the palace of the emperor, scorched with a burning love for Turandot. Everyone who saw her portrait was forever pierced by the arrow of the Cupid.

Prince-exile

At this time, another tragedy takes place in the neighboring kingdom: Astrakhan king Timur with his wife and son Kalaf are forced to flee their own palace, persecuted by the ferocious sultan of Khorezm. Having seized the kingdom of Timur, he orders to kill him and his family.

The persecuted manages to hide in the possessions of Altoom, but they do not have to live a royal life. Prince Calaf undertakes any kind of black work to feed himself and his parents. At the gates of Beijing, he accidentally meets his former teacher and tells him this sad story. When they pass by the emperor's palace, Kalaf asks a passing person what kind of festival is being prepared outside his walls. But he replied that this is not a joyful event. This is the preparation for the execution of another prince, who did not answer Turandot's questions.

One look at the portrait of Princess Kalaf was enough to inflame her with burning love, and he decides to also try his hand at this bloody match.

Summary: Princess Turandot and her riddles

No matter how the prince persuaded everyone around him, he was adamant: either the princess would belong to him, or death from her hand. And now he is standing in front of her in the meeting room of the sages. The daughter of the Chinese emperor came with her two slaves - Zelima and Adelma.

The latter, in spite of the fact that the prince does not call himself, immediately recognizes him as a servant in her father's palace. Ever since she was in love with a young man and is now trying to set up Turandot against Calaf to get him. But Zelima, he seems worthy of other applicants, and the princess herself seems to be looking at him more graciously. However, having guessed all the riddles, Prince Calaf Turandot has simply infuriated. She did not smile at all. Seeing the torment of his beloved, the prince offered a new test: to guess his name.

Wedding royal procession

Princess Turandot in despair. How can she know the name of a mysterious person and emerge as a winner from the trap, which she herself set up? Insidious Adelma promises to help her. She comes to the prince at night and deceives him to reveal his name.

In the morning Turandot solemnly reveals the prince's incognito. Calaf and all the others are heartbroken. He is preparing to accept death when the princess miraculously transforms and falls on his chest. It turns out that she immediately fell in love with him, afraid of herself admit it. But the nobility of the young man conquered it. Emperor Altoom on promises promised Adelme to return her kingdom to her, so that she did not feel so deprived.

J. Puccini's opera: a summary

"Princess Turandot" lived a rather active life for many centuries after its first appearance in the collection of Persian fairy tales. German playwright Schiller wrote a play with the same name. According to the romantic tradition, he deepened the image of the capricious princess, turning the comedy Carlo Gozzi into a drama. The gaming start was dulled, but the images became much more bold and complex.

In the 19th century, the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini used Schiller's plot "Turandot" for one of his most beautiful operas. The libretto was composed by D. Adami and R. Simoni. They somewhat modified the interpretation of this tale, turning it into a real hymn of love. Adelma was named Liu, and in the opera her end is much more tragic.

Turandot, demanding that she call the name of the prince, threatens Liu with death, but the girl is adamant. Asked what gives her strength to resist, Liu responds: "Love" and stabs herself with a dagger. Amazed Turandot understands that a similar feeling creeps into her heart. The opera ends with a choir in which love, life and the sun are glorified.

Swan song of the Italian maestro

"Princess Turandot" - an opera that stands apart in the work of the recognized master of this genre. Puccini in her departed from the intimacy inherent in all his previous works. This is his last creation, and the composer was in a great hurry, afraid that he would not have time to finish it. And so it happened - the most talented pupil of the maestro F. Alfano completed the "Turandot". Until now, the opera is put in its editorial office.

Puccini somewhat modified the plot of Gozzi's tale. For example, the image of Adelma received a completely different interpretation. She became a devoted and loving Liu, ready to give her life for true love. Puccini has accumulated his entire composer genius to write amazing music in its beauty. "Let no one sleep" is her most vivid example and the most aria in the repertoire of many singers.

"Turandot" today is put on the world's leading stages, and we can say with confidence that this is the best work of Puccini.

Interesting facts about opera

The premiere of the opera was conducted by A. Toscanini. In the middle of the third act, the maestro suddenly dropped his wand, and the music was pitch-black. Turning to the public, the conductor said that it was at this point that the composer's pen stopped running on the note paper, and with him his heart also stopped.

For a long time the play was banned for staging in the PRC - it was believed that China did not present it in the best possible light. In 1998, Z. Meta finally conducted the "Turandot in the Forbidden City." The production cost China 15 million dollars.

Revision Alfano is not very successful, although it is the most executable. There are two more versions: L. Berio (2001) and Hao Wei (2008).

Fateful Princess

Surprisingly, this tale turned out to be a swan song not only of the Italian composer. The play "The Princess Turandot" was the last one staged during the life of the great theater director E. Vakhtangov. It happened in 1922 in the Third studio of the Moscow Art Theater.

By right, he is considered the best in the repertoire of the theater. At different times it was played by such stars as Cecelia Mansurova, Marianna Vertinskaya, Lyudmila Maksakova, Boris Zakhava, Alexei Zhiltsov and many others. The first performers were Cecilia Mansurova (Turandot) and Yuri Zavadsky (Calaf). The play "The Princess Turandot" became the visiting card of the Vakhtangov Theater and determined all its further development. It can be said that this production gave birth to a new theater school based on the Vakhtang concept of "theater-holiday".

Tales of the 20th century

"Princess Turandot" (Vakhtangov Theater) opened the window not only in new theatrical relations. In this production, the director applied the principles of an ironic tale, without which it would be impossible to create a new genre of a literary tale and its true adherent E. Schwartz.

In the production of Vakhtangov actors did not play the characters themselves, but the actors of the Venetian troupe. It turned out a kind of matryoshka doll. The rivalry between Turandot and Adelma was at the same time a struggle between the two prima donnas for the heart of the lover hero, Calaf. Unfortunately, gradually this interpretation was lost and later generations of spectators saw a completely different play called "Princess Turandot".

Theater Vakhtangov was the most visited place of Moscow theater, witnesses wrote that spectators from the enthusiasm climbed on the backs of the chairs. Ironic mocking texts of interludes, deliberate play using a simple props - all this created a carnival feast on the stage.

Hints and allusions

Masks actors could be interpreted deeply symbolic. No wonder the theater always had such an acute social orientation. Let us recall Gogol's "Inspector General". In Soviet times, when it was directly possible to express only unrestrained love for the party, such allegorical art forms could only help to take the soul off.

Emperor Altome is crazy about his daughter - an innocent affectionate old man. But in his country, not at all affectionate manners and rather brutal laws. Wordless wise men of the Divan are officials, from whom it is worthwhile to take an example. With their main task - all the time according to nod - they cope perfectly. In this fabulous country everything is fine, everyone is smiling and gently shaking hands. But to live there is uncomfortable and even scary. Not surprisingly, this performance had in its time just a phenomenal success.

Where can I find Turandot today?

In 1991, the most prestigious theatrical prize was awarded - "Crystal Turandot". The idea of its creation came to the head producer Boris Belenky. In the program document, the venue of the awards ceremony is Moscow, as it is the theater top of Russia.

The highlight of this award is that the jury is made up of people, with no unconnected theater - writers, artists, musicians. Because it is called independent. Many famous and beloved actors are holders of the Crystal Turandot: I. Churikova, O. Efremov, O. Tabakov, M. Ulyanov and others.

The most famous fairy tale by K. Gozzi was very fruitful for future generations. Hopefully this article has helped you learn its brief content. "Puccini's Turandot" Puccini, as well as the eponymous play, will now be much clearer to you if you decide to visit an opera or a theater.