Nessun Dorma
Alain Lombard/Chœurs De L'Opéra Du Rhin/José Carreras/Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg Lyrics
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Nessun dorma
Tu pure, o Principessa
Nella tua fredda stanza
Guardi le stelle
Che tremano d'amore e di speranza
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, ahimè, morir, morir)
Dilegua, o notte!
Tramontate, stelle!
Tramontate, stelle!
All'alba vincerò!
Vincerò
Vincerò
The song Nessun Dorma translates to "None shall sleep" and is an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera, Turandot. The song is a powerful showcase of the tenor vocal range, and in the context of the opera, the character Calaf sings it as he expresses his determination to win the heart of the ice-cold Princess Turandot.
The lyrics begin with a plea for everyone to stay awake, thus further emphasizing Calaf's determination to succeed. Calaf then addresses the Princess directly, acknowledging her aloofness, but expressing his desire to win her heart. He reveals that his identity is a mystery, promising to disclose it only when the morning light illuminates the sky. He further declares that his kiss will soften her heart and conquer her icy demeanor. Finally, the song encourages the night to end, the stars in the sky to fade, and heralds Calaf's victory over the Princess at dawn.
In summary, Nessun Dorma is a passionate and courageous song that captures the essence of the human spirit's unyielding determination to succeed against overwhelming odds, both in love and life.
Line by Line Meaning
Nessun dorma
Nobody shall sleep
Nessun dorma
Nobody shall sleep
Tu pure, o Principessa
You too, O Princess
Nella tua fredda stanza
In your cold room
Guardi le stelle
You look at the stars
Che tremano d'amore e di speranza
That tremble with love and hope
Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me
But my mystery is locked inside me
Il nome mio nessun saprà
No one will know my name
No, no, sulla tua bocca lo dirò
No, no, I will tell it on your mouth
Quando la luce splenderà
When the light will shine
Ed il mio bacio scioglierà il silenzio
And my kiss will break the silence
Che ti fa mia
That makes you mine
(Il nome suo nessun saprà
(No one will know his name
E noi dovrem, ahimè, morir, morir)
And we will have to, alas, die, die)
Dilegua, o notte!
Disappear, O night!
Tramontate, stelle!
Fade away, stars!
Tramontate, stelle!
Fade away, stars!
All'alba vincerò!
I will win at dawn!
Vincerò
I will win
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: GIACOMO PUCCINI, GIUSEPPE ADAMI, RENATO SIMONI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind