Famous
Musical Pieces:
Nessun
Dorma
An English
translation of the famous opera song popularized by Paul Potts and
Pavarotti
"Nessun Dorma", an Italian opera song, means "None shall
sleep tonight" in English. This type of opera song, known
as an aria, is sung by tenors - the highest male voice in the vocal
register. The song comes from Turandot, an opera by
Giacomo Puccini.
What is the
context of the song?
It is sung by Calaf - he is an unknown prince who falls in love at
first sight with the beautiful but cold Princess Turandot. Any man
who wants to marry Turandot has to answer her three riddles. If he
fails, he will be beheaded.
In the previous act, Calaf has already answered the 3 riddles
correctly. But she still recoils at the thought of marriage, so he
offers her a chance to avoid marriage by challenging her to a
riddle - she has to guess his name by dawn. If she does so, she can
execute him - but if she does not, she must marry him. The cruel
princess then orders that none of her subjects is to sleep
that night until his name is discovered. If they fail, all
will be killed.
As the final act opens, it is now night. Calaf is alone in the
moonlit palace gardens. He knows he will be victorious and will
soon be able to marry the Princess. In the distance, he hears
Turandot's palace officials proclaiming her command. His aria
begins with an echo of their cry and a reflection on Princess
Turandot.
The
Translation
Italian Text
Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
Tu pure, o, Principessa,
nella tua fredda stanza,
guardi le stelle
che tremano d'amore
e di speranza.
Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me,
il nome mio nessun saprà!
No, no, sulla tua bocca lo dirò
quando la luce splenderà!
Ed il mio bacio
scioglierà il silenzio
che ti fa mia!
(Il nome suo nessun saprà!...
e noi dovrem, ahime, morir!)
Dilegua, o notte!
Tramontate, stelle!
Tramontate, stelle!
All'alba vincerò!
vincerò, vincerò!
English Translation of "Nessun Dorma"
Nobody shall sleep!
Nobody shall sleep!
Even you, o Princess,
in your cold room,
watch the stars,
that tremble with love and with hope.
But my secret is hidden within me,
my name no one shall know..
No! No!
On your mouth I will tell it when the light shines.
And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!
(No one will know his name and we must, alas, die.)
Vanish, o night!
Set, stars! Set, stars!
At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win!
Popularity of
the song: Pavarotti
After Luciano Pavarotti performed "Nessun Dorma"
at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, his
recording reached #2 on the UK Singles Chart. This song became
Pavarotti's tradmark song. Click here to watch a
video of him sing it. You can also watch him sing it with the rest
of the Three
Tenors (with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras).
Paul
Potts
Paul Potts was a cellphone salesman who auditioned
on Britain's Got Talent. For his audition, he sang "Nessun
Dorma". He later went on to win the competition. Click here to see his
audition performance.
Andrea
Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli is a blind opera singer who has
also sung "Nessun Dorma". Click to see the video
of him singing in Tuscany, Italy.
Sarah
Brightman
Females have sung the song as well, even though it is meant for a
high male voice. Sarah Brightman
has sung the song.
Aretha
Franklin
Even Aretha Franklin sang this song at the 1998
Grammy Awards - she filled in for Pavarotti at the last minute when
he cancelled - you can watch a clip of that moment here.
Images/References
New York Times
Light
the Torch
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