How do you pronounce the title of the opera, "Turandot"?!
Question:
How do you pronounce the title of the opera, "Turandot"?
I've been corrected on the pronunciation on this to death and I'm tired of it! Is the Puccini opera, "Turandot", pronounced "TuranDOT" (ending with a "dot" sound) or "TuranDOUGH" (ending with a "dough" sound)?
Thanks!
Answers: This debate probably stems from the fact that the opera was taken from a Persian term for "Turandohkt" (sp?), which meant "daughter of Persia". In that pronunciation, the letters K and T are both voiced. However, according to witnesses and scholars, Puccini never pronounced the ending letter T. He most likely "Italian-ized" his pronunciation, which would explain "Too-rahn-dough". So, it depends upon whether or not you are Persian or Italian (ha, ha) or whether or not you want to pay homage to Puccini and trust his wisdom. The answer is yes.
You will hear both. I was in a production last spring and the conductor demanded "TuranDOUGH." On the other hand, a coach of mine raved about a production we saw because they pronounced the title correctly (TuranDOT). I frankly prefer the latter, TuranDOT, though you are likely to hear either in performance. Basically, if you are in the show, whatever the Maestro says is correct. Beyond that, the rules are unfortunately ambiguous. Tur-an-doe It is pronounced TU ran dough There is documentation that Puccini himself pronoucned it "Tur- an-dough". I should like to through in my vote for "tour an dough" I have heard multiple Classical radio announcers and Classical music teachers pronounce it TuranDOUGH. after 10 years of working at the Metropolitan Opera I should know
however
heard both