[ladyjane]

Nessun Dorma is an aria from an opera Turandot. The hero answers three riddles and wins the hand of the princess. She doesn’t want to go through with that bargain so he says he will give her one more chance: guess my name and you may kill me. If you can’t do that, I will take you as my bride. The evil princess (why does he want to marry her???) demands that her subjects tell her his name and if they can’t, she will kill them.

Here is the English translation of the aria”

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/nussun-dorma-no-one-sleeps.html#ixzz5JDFiXtuB

No One Sleeps

No one sleeps!
No one sleeps!
Even you, oh princess,
in your cold room,
look at the stars
that tremble with love
and hope!

But my mystery; it is locked in me.
And my name, no one will know!
No, no!
On your mouth
I will say it,
when the light
will shine!

And my kiss will break the silence,
that makes you mine!

(Chorus of women heard in the distance)
His name no one will know...
And we shall have, alas, to die, to die...!

Disperse, o night!
Vanish, oh stars!
Vanish, oh stars!

At daybreak, I will win!
I will win!
I will win!
****************

Darkness turns to light. Night turns to light. As the world turns.

I will win! I will win!

[Publius]

Normally when Puccini has a major number coming in an opera, he telegraphs it with a big buildup in the orchestra. What is unusual about "Nessun dorma" is that it emerges out of nothing. He gives you no warning that the opera is about to take off for the heavens.

[mairdie]

I put the Italian and English lyrics in the video description. I actually needed the Italian syllables to follow the story for the editing. The video is a firm follow of the lyrics.

[buffaloguy]

I love that aria. One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.