Nessun Dorma

Nessun dorma is an aria from the final act of Puccini's operat Turandot.  It is sung by Calaf, the unknown prince, who falls in love at first sight with the beautiful but cold Princess Turandot. However, any man who wishes to wed Turandot must first answer her three riddles. If he fails, he will be beheaded.

Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma! Tu pure, o Principessa, nella tua fredda stanza, guardi le stelle che tremano d'amore, e di speranza!"

(English translation: "None shall sleep! None shall sleep! Even you, O Princess, in your cold bedroom, watch the stars that tremble with love and with hope!")

"Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me; il nome mio nessun saprà! No, No! Sulla tua bocca lo dirò quando la luce splenderà!"

("But my secret is hidden within me; none will know my name! No, no! On your mouth I will say it when the light shines!")

"Ed il mio bacio scioglierà il silenzio che ti fa mia!"

("And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!")

Just before the climactic end of the aria, a chorus of women is heard singing in the distance:

"Il nome suo nessun saprà... E noi dovrem, ahimè, morir, morir!"

("No one will know his name... and we will have to, alas, die, die!")

Calaf, now certain of victory, sings:

"Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle! Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!"

("Vanish, o night! Set, stars! Set, stars! At daybreak I shall win! I shall win! I shall win!")

Here is Nessun dorma performed by The Three Tenors.

Comments

[Connie]

I love opera and especially Pavarotti! That was magnificent, honey. I cry when I hear it.
Smooches,
Connie

[jeanne]

Good morning Beverly, WOW! that is some beautiful singing. I enjoy opera too. Not all of it but the music is always a treat. Opera singers have the most fabulous voices. Hope you have a great day today.

Love always...Jeanne

[sharron]

How Romantical ((as Paula Deen would say)). My daughter said it makes her want to eat pasta!. lOL! Have a happy day!

[Becky Bozic]

Nessun dorma is the reason I decided to try to like (understand) opera. I believe it is the most passionate piece of music I have ever heard and just wipes me out any time I hear it sung by anyone......even Michael Bolton has done it. :) Thanks for letting me listen this a.m. I will be humming it all day....and that is a good thing. Becky

[Sally]

BRAVO!

[Tracy]

One of the best arias...and ever a delight to hear the magnificent Three Tenors sing it...This really lifted my busy day, Beverly--thank you! :o) Happy weekend ((HUGS))

[Sheila]

Oh, how I love Nessun Dorma! And this rendition just sends chills down my spine. I adore opera! Thanks for sharing, Beverly! :-)

XO,

Sheila... who will be participating with you on Pink Saturday (I sent you an email to confirm) :-)

[Charlotte]

I love this song. It is so beautiful. Thanks for the background information. I had never heard that. It makes the song even more interesting.
Hugs,
Charlotte

[Rose Stapp]

I am interested in doing Pink Saturday but I can't seem to get my email to go through. Can you send me your email address. Mine is rmstapp@comcast.net, my blog address is sugarplumcottage.blogspot.com

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

One of my favorite arias! I still get a teary eyed when I hear Luciano sing.

[debbie ragan]

Yes, i too cannot get through...i would love to participate in pink saturday....
http://debbie-jeremiah3017.blogspot.com
if it is too late i understand and will do it next week.
bless you for being such a sweet hostess...and I LOVED THE OPERA
hugs
debbie

[Jennifer]

I would like to participate in Pink Saturday. If I am too late, I'll catch you later.
Tanks,
Jennifer

Sit-N-Chat.blogspot.com

[Mary T.]

Oh my, Opera is always so tragic! Sad, but what else would they have to sing about in full ranges!?

[Theresa@TakeASentimental Journey]

Beautiful Beverly !

[The Muse]

Bravo!!!!!

[CrossRoads]

Oh super post bilingual:) Let no one sleep as said in english, Nessun dorma is 1 of the best known tenor aria's in the world. Very easy to understand its italian lyrics, thank you Bev. How I appreciate these kind of nuances in blog posts, all of my antennas rise up if or when written in other languages:) Small or big differences so lovely, so provocative.

[caren]

how touching! A cure has to be found! Thanks again for hosting pink saturday...it touches many lives.

[Alicesg]

Very touching post. I lost my mom though cancer too. Really hope a cure can be found.