Turandot was Puccini’s last opera which remained unfinished at his death. It was completed by Franco Alfano, using sketches composed by Puccini. The opera is notable for the exotic richness of its orchestration and for the fearsome vocal demans of the title rôle, take on this recording by Gina Cigna, the leading Italian dramatic soprano of the inter-war years. Calaf is sung by Francesco Merli, a leading tenor at La Scala with a particularly robust tone. Liù is sung by Magda Olivero, whose unique voice and electric stage presence made her appearances unforgettable.