A century after Giacomo Puccini composed his last opera, "Turandot" (1926), debate over the correct pronunciation of this title continues. Linguistic scholars advocate for a return to its Persian roots, Tūrān-dukht, insisting on a clear articulation of the final t. Traditional audiences, however, remain steadfast in their omission of the final consonant, clinging to an entrenched habit. This article delves into the reasoning behind Puccini’s preferred pronunciation when setting the opera to music, drawing on historical sources that illuminate the practices of the composer and his early performers.
Beghelli, M., Baraldi, P. (2025). Turandot. IL NOME NEL TESTO, XXVII, 317-347.
Turandot
Marco BeghelliPrimo
;
2025
Abstract
A century after Giacomo Puccini composed his last opera, "Turandot" (1926), debate over the correct pronunciation of this title continues. Linguistic scholars advocate for a return to its Persian roots, Tūrān-dukht, insisting on a clear articulation of the final t. Traditional audiences, however, remain steadfast in their omission of the final consonant, clinging to an entrenched habit. This article delves into the reasoning behind Puccini’s preferred pronunciation when setting the opera to music, drawing on historical sources that illuminate the practices of the composer and his early performers.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
