Turandot: How Did Puccini Pronounce It?

Abstract

A century after Giacomo Puccini composed his final opera, Turandot (1926), debate over its correct pronunciation 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.