When Puccini's opera Turandot was heard for the first time in April 1926, its composer had been dead for almost a year and a half. The story of Princess Turandot is perhaps the most repulsive that any opera audience is regularly called on to enjoy. At the very beginning of the third act heralds can be heard in the palace garden proclaiming Turandot's decree Nessun Dorma (Let no one sleep); the Prince's name must be discovered, on pain of death. The Prince takes up the words in an aria: he is certain of victory.
