Turandot is every man's dream. All brave young men come to win her hand. Eligible bachelors beware! To win the "fair" maiden's hand, one has to pass the test of three riddles. Answer all three correctly and Turandot is won; one wrong answer - the penalty is death.

Calaf spies Turandot on her balcony. He falls in love instantly and decides to try his luck. Calaf answers each riddle correctly. Turandot says she would rather die than live with the shame of being wed to a foreign prince. Calaf offeres her a chance to avoid marriage. If she can guess his name, then he will bow out of the union. All of Peking is turned upside down as the Princess seeks the name of her suitor. She is foiled at every angle. In the end, she finds that love is the answer.

Turandot is the last opera written by Puccini (who also composed the popular operas La bohème and Madama Butterfly) and features the beloved aria, "Nessun dorma."