[To all]
The princess Turandot:
Salute her!
[To the intermittent toll of the deep gong, soldiers enter with procession to slow, martial music. Amongst them, with regalia, a Headsman bears on a pike the head of a young man, which he places beside the others over the gate.
Finally, accompanied by female slaves, comes Turandot, dressed like her followers in garb of gloomy splendor.
In the crowd Calaf gazes at her passionately. With him is Barak.
The Chinese courtiers prostrate themselves.
The Maskers bow in European fashion]
THE CHINESE COURTIERS AND CROWD
Turandot! Salaam!