Washington Opera offers new ending to Puccini’s final work WFTV [Video]

NEW YORK — (AP) — Ever since Giacomo Puccini died without finishing his last opera, “Turandot,” audiences have thrilled to its soaring melodies like “Nessun Dorma,” but also perhaps lamented the lack of a proper ending.

Now the Washington National Opera is offering an alternative, commissioning both new words and new music for the final 18 or so minutes of the piece. The production, with libretto by Susan Soon He Stanton and music by Christopher Tin, runs from Saturday to 25.

“Turandot,” tells of a Chinese princess who condemns all her suitors to have their heads chopped off unless they can answer three riddles. When an unknown prince manages to do this, Turandot is obligated to marry him, but he gives her a way out of the bargain if she can guess his identity.

In the final scene, according to the original libretto, the prince kisses Turandot and then — …