Turandot

Turandot is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini (which was left unfinished by Puccini at his death, and completed by Franco Alfano) to an Italian libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni, based on the play by Carlo Gozzi. First performance: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 1926.

Orchestration

The orchestra consists of one piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, one English horn, two clarinets, one bass clarinet, two bassoons, one contrabassoon, four French horns, three trumpets, three trombones, one bass trombone, timpani, percussion, glockenspiel, xylophone, bass xylophone, tubular bells, celesta, two harps, organ (music), first and second violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. Additionally, there are parts played onstage or backstage for two alto saxophones, six French horns, three trombones, one bass trombone, wooden drum, and gong.

Related Topics:
Piccolo - Flute - Oboe - English horn - Clarinet - Bass clarinet - Bassoon - Contrabassoon - French horn - Trumpet - Trombone - Timpani - Percussion - Glockenspiel - Xylophone - Bass xylophone - Tubular bell - Celesta - Harp - Organ (music) - Violin - Viola - Cello - Double bass - Alto saxophone - Wooden drum - Gong

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As always when writing an opera set in Asia, Puccini strove for at least a semblence of authenticity (at least to Orientalist taste) by using music from the region in question. Eight of the themes used in Turandot are based on traditional Chinese music.

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