The Story of Continuity: from Nizami to Puccini

Giacomo Puccini’s final opera, Turandot, ranks amongst his most famous and frequently staged works. Even those with little knowledge of opera will recognise the aria Nessun Dorma, sung by Prince Calaf as he promises to win over the Chinese princess Turandot’s heart from its opening chords. Despite this, few look at the sources for the plot. Even in the most learned circles, almost no-one is aware that the origins of the story should be attributed to the 12th century poet Nizami Ganjavi and his Haft-Peykar poem (. Seven Beauties) written in 1197. The poem is a romanticised biography of the Sasanian Persian Emperor Bahram V (420–439 AD) who successfully marries seven princesses from different parts of the world, from Byzantine to India. Several plots evolve in non-linear form, creating an interesting mix of entourage and intrigue. These are the stories about which colour can be best associated with the sensation of love evolving from black to white, from the most lusty and sinful feeling to the purest fo