Nessun dorma
Plácido Domingo [Tenor] Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Così comanda Turandot
Questa notte nessun dorma in Pekino!
Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
Tu pure, o Principessa
Nella tua fredda stanza
Guardi le stelle che tremano
Dall'amore e di speranza!

Ma il mio mistero e 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!

ll nome suo nessun saprà
E noi dovrem, ahimè! Morir! Morir!

Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle!




Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò!
Vincerà! Vincerò!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Plácido Domingo's song "Nessun dorma" come from Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot." The lines "Così comanda Turandot, questa notte nessun dorma in Pekino!" are a decree from the character Turandot that nobody in Beijing should sleep that night. This is followed by the repeated phrase "Nessun dorma" ("None shall sleep"), which gives the song its title.


The lyrics then turn to the character Calaf, who is singing to the Princess Turandot herself, described as being in her cold room, gazing at shaking stars filled with love and hope. Calaf's identity is kept secret and he vows that nobody will ever know his name. However, he will reveal it to the Princess if she can guess it by dawn. He is so confident in his love for her that he doesn't fear death, telling her that if she can't guess his name, they shall both die. The song ends with Calaf urging the night to leave and the stars to set, as he'll be victorious at daybreak.


Overall, the lyrics are about the power of love, with Calaf being so sure of his feelings that he's willing to risk everything for them, even his life. It's a message that resonates with many people and has made "Nessun dorma" one of the most popular and enduring songs from both classical and popular music.


Line by Line Meaning

Così comanda Turandot
Thus commands Turandot


Questa notte nessun dorma in Pekino!
No one sleeps tonight in Beijing!


Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
No one sleeps! No one sleeps!


Tu pure, o Principessa
You too, oh Princess


Nella tua fredda stanza
In your chilly room


Guardi le stelle che tremano
You gaze at the shivering stars


Dall'amore e di speranza!
With love and hope!


Ma il mio mistero e chiuso in me
But my mystery is locked within me


Il nome mio nessun saprà!
No one will know my name!


No, no, sulla tua bocca lo dirò
No, no, I'll tell it on your lips


Quando la luce splenderà!
When the light shines!


Ed il mio bacio scioglierà
And my kiss will melt


Il silenzio che ti fa mia!
The silence that makes you mine!


Il nome suo nessun saprà
No one will know his name


E noi dovrem, ahimè! Morir! Morir!
And we must die, alas! Die! Die!


Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle!
Disappear, oh night! Set, stars!


Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò!
Set, stars! At dawn, I will win!


Vincerà! Vincerò!
I will win! I will win!




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GIACOMO PUCCINI, GIUSEPPE ADAMI, RENATO SIMONI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@massimilianosanna6080

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, ahimé morir, morir
Dilegua, o notte
Tramontate, stelle
Tramontate, stelle
All'alba vincerò
Vincerò, vincerò



All comments from YouTube:

@Bartie52

Placido Domingo has that rich tenor voice that sends chills up and down your spine. He is truly one of the greatest tenors that ever lived.

@maucendon

It has the same effect on me, chills up and down my spine, specially with this song. Domingo voice is exceptional!

@randombritishperson9077

@@sugarbist wait what

@mistersmith1883

His stuff is okay.

@stefanufer608

Beautiful - he finds a light and shade that other tenors miss

@cerichisholm1394

Placido Domingo singing this aria, brings me to tears. What more can I say? BRAVO!

@MiThreeSunz

My favourite version! I find Domingo’s voice warmer and rounder than Pavarotti’s which sounds more brassy. But that’s just my opinion of course. Both tenors are incredible! 😊🇨🇦

@tonyhughes110

I do prefer Pavarotti's version and he's the better technical singer (I think he's literal perfection), but Placido is incredible. There's drama in his voice. He's exceptional.

@jeanniemariabel

Tottally agree ❤

@MalyaMuth

Having the same argument with a friend right now. It's like comparing silver to mahogany.

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