This
month we are looking at famous music throughout history that was left
unfinished by its composer. This week, we are specifically looking at the story
behind Puccini’s Turandot, which was
left unfinished at the time of Puccini’s death in 1924. Last time we learned that
Puccini orchestrated Acts I and II before his death, however hadn’t quite achieved
what he dreamed for the finale duet scene of Act III.
Following
Puccini’s death as a result of a heart attack and throat cancer, Franco Alfano
stepped up to complete the final scene of Turandot,
doing his best to stay true to Puccini’s intentions for the opera. The project
was overseen by Arturo Toscanini, who conducted the world premiere of the
opera. During the first performance of Turandot,
Toscanini left out Alfano’s finale and ended the opera where Puccini had left
things at his death.
What
do you think? Would you prefer Turandot to
suddenly end unfinished where the composer left off at his point of death? Or
would you prefer the story to wrap up using Alfano’s ending? You can listen here.
