ACT 3
Sofia National Opera Chorus and Orchestra Lyrics


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Così comanda Turandot
Questa notte nessun dorma in Pechino!
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

In Sofia National Opera Chorus and Orchestra's song Act 3, the character Calaf is proclaiming that no one in Beijing should sleep tonight because Princess Turandot has commanded it. He then proceeds to sing "Nessun Dorma" which means "none shall sleep" in Italian. Calaf then addresses Princess Turandot, stating that even she must be unable to sleep in her cold room while looking at the trembling stars, filled with hope and love. He reveals that his identity is a mystery that he alone knows, and his name shall never be revealed, except to the Princess. He refuses to speak it until the light shines, and then his kiss will break the silence and make her his. However, he is aware that revealing his identity and winning Turandot's love come at the cost of his life and the lives of his companions. The song ends with a triumphant declaration from Calaf that he shall win, and the night will end.


The lyrics of the song are from an Italian opera called Turandot, composed by Giacomo Puccini. The opera is set in ancient China and tells the story of Princess Turandot, who decrees that any prince who wishes to marry her must answer three riddles. If they fail to answer any of them correctly, they will be executed. Calaf, the son of King Timur, decides to take on Turandot's challenge and eventually wins her heart.


Line by Line Meaning

Così comanda Turandot
Turandot commands it thus


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


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


Tu pure, o Principessa
You too, O Princess


Nella tua fredda stanza
In your cold room


Guardi le stelle che tremano
You watch the trembling stars


Dall'amore e di speranza!
Full of love and hope!


Ma il mio mistero e 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 you on your lips


Quando la luce splenderà!
When the light shines!


Ed il mio bacio scioglierà
And my kiss will dissolve


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


ll 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! Tramontate, stelle!
Disappear, O 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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