Nessun Dorma

[Wotsits31]

Does anyone know what the song Nessun Dorma is about? Everytime I hear it, it gives me goosebumps and it's just been played in a film I'm watching and I'm in tears!!!

[Wotsits31]

Wow, thank you, that sounds lush, I want to see the opera now! Such a beautiful piece of music.

[ELVIS68]

It`s about the 1990 World Cup and Gazza got his second yellow card and was about to freak out and Gary Lineker did the famous "Watch him he`s losing it" gesture to dear old Bobby Robson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH_Yt0K3tZA

[tamborine]

the story

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nessun_dorma

Aria by Pavorotti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VATmgtmR5o4

[tamborine]

that's why tenors and arias appeal more. Okay if you understand the lingo. It's all about the orchestra to take you out of yourself and fill you with the atmosphere.

[Mr Veritas]

Can I expand a bit on tonyted's answer?

The chinese Princess Turandot had an ancestress,the Princess Lou Ling,who was violently raped by a stranger
Since she heard this legend (as a child) she has been teerified of the day when she will have to surrender to a man.
So she sets three riddles,none can answer them and are beheaded.
Then Calaf comes along,and aswers the three riddles,Turandot is terrified and yet intrigued at the same time,but she still tries to get out of her promise to marry the man that solves the riddles.
Calf says he will allow himself to be beheaded,IF she can find out his name by day break.
Hence the aria he sings is called "None shall Sleep" for all of ancient Peking is staying awake and trying to find his name.
In the morning Calf tells her his name,and hopes she will give in.
She does,she announces to the assembled court that his name is~

LOVE

End of Opera.

[Mr Veritas]

In Italian:~

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!)

In English:~
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!...
Chorus:~(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!