He soon gained fame due to the power and strength of his voice. The young tenor earned valuable experience and significant recognition while touring on the invitation of soprano Joan Sutherland, making his 1965 U.S. debut in Miami, Florida on her recommendation. His position was solidified in the years between 1966 and 1972, during which Pavarotti first appeared at Milan's seminal La Scala, at other major European houses, and, in 1968, at NYC's Metropolitan Opera. He received great acclaim, particularly working well with Joan Sutherland.
By the mid-70s, the tenor became known worldwide, famed for the brilliance and beauty of his tone, especially into the upper register. His "high C" became one of his trademarks. The late 70s and 80s saw Pavarotti making significant appearances in the world's opera houses and establishing himself as one of the great singers of the era.
Popular stardom came at the 1990 World Cup in Italy with the performances of "Nessun Dorma" (from Turandot) and as one of The Three Tenors in their famed first concert held on the eve of the final match of the tournament (repeated at later Cups). Pavarotti sang together with fellow star tenors Plácido Domingo and José Carreras and brought to the much wider audience hits previously confined to the opera world. Appearances in advertisements and with pop icons in concerts around the world furthered his influence. Pavarotti always maintained his identity as an opera star, unlike many crossover artists.
The later years brought a decline in ability to perform on stage due to a weight gain and lack of mobility. Pavarotti's final appearance in an opera was at the Met in March 2004. The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy saw him performing for the last time. Pavarotti sang Nessun Dorma, with the crowd as its Chorus, and got a thunderous standing ovation. On September 6, 2007, he died at home in Modena from pancreatic cancer.
Turandot
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tu pure, o, Principessa
Nella tua fredda stanza
Guardi le stelle
Che tremano d'amore
E di speranza
Ma il mio mistero e chiuso in me
No, no, sulla tua bocca lo diró
Quando la luce splenderá
Ed il mio bacio sciogliera il silenzio
Che ti fa mia
(Il nome suo nessun saprá!
E noi dovrem, ahimé, morir!)
Dilegua, o notte!
Tramontate, stelle!
Tramontate, stelle!
All'alba vinceró!
Vinceró, vinceró!
The lyrics to Luciano Pavarotti's song Nessun dorma are in Italian and describe the main character's feelings of hope and love despite his impending death. The lyrics are from Act III of Turandot, an opera by Giacomo Puccini. The first stanza is a call to everyone to stop sleeping because something important is happening. The second line of the first stanza is addressed to a princess who is looking at the stars in her cold room. The singer then describes the stars as trembling with love and hope.
The second stanza talks about the singer's mysterious past and how nobody knows his name. He then says that he will only reveal his name to the princess when the light shines on him. The third stanza is a description of his plan to win the princess's love through his kiss. He says that his kiss will reveal his love for her and break the silence that keeps them apart.
In conclusion, the lyrics of Nessun Dorma are a beautiful portrayal of the singer's love and hope. He is willing to reveal his true identity and even face his own death to win his beloved's heart. The beautiful melody and passionate delivery of the lyrics by Pavarotti make this one of the most iconic opera arias of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
No one shall sleep! No one shall sleep!
Tu pure, o, Principessa
And you too, oh Princess
Nella tua fredda stanza
In your cold room
Guardi le stelle
You gaze at the stars
Che tremano d'amore
That tremble with love
E di speranza
And with hope
Ma il mio mistero e chiuso in me
But my mystery is locked within me
Il nome mio nessun saprá
No one will know my name
No, no, sulla tua bocca lo diró
No, no, I will say it on your mouth
Quando la luce splenderá
When the light shines
Ed il mio bacio sciogliera il silenzio
And my kiss will break the silence
Che ti fa mia
That makes you mine
(Il nome suo nessun saprá!
(No one will know his name!
E noi dovrem, ahimé, morir!)
And we will have to, alas, die!)
Dilegua, o notte!
Disappear, oh night!
Tramontate, stelle!
Fade away, you stars!
Tramontate, stelle!
Fade away, you stars!
All'alba vinceró!
At dawn, I will win!
Vinceró, vinceró!
I will win, I will win!
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Melodie Der Welt GmbH
Written by: GIACOMO PUCCINI, GIUSEPPE ADAMI, RENATO SIMONI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@popsicleboy2
That moment when Doug slams his fist into the ice and rises to fight then this song kicks in... WOW... goosebumps
@mrclyde7950
Scotty Edwards Same
@brandonewertz1989
Agreed!
@80Mollusc
I think I nailed him
@remomazzetti8757
Unfortunately Puccini didn't compose this: he died before completing the love duet and final scene: this is all the work of Franco Alfano who adapted earlier music for the missing portions of the score. Puccini's sketches end after the Prince reveals his name.
@millettehabs224
"I think I nailed him."
@MrPixelater
+millettehabs224
Well said, sir!
@matthewwojtowicz1269
Love that quote
@jd4629
Right on :)
@harleysanches6327
YES