Let’s have a hush around the stadium, ladies and gents, as we reveal the lyrics to Giacomo Puccini‘s much-loved operatic aria ‘Nessun Dorma’. We’ll also delve into some of the history behind this iconic song, and how it played a key role in football’s early-1990s renaissance. Avanti!
What are the lyrics to ‘Nessun Dorma’ in English?
None shall sleep, None shall sleep!
Even you, oh 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!
(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!
What does 'Nessun Dorma' mean?
'Nessun Dorma' means 'Let no one sleep' or 'None shall sleep', and is the first line of the aria in the original Italian. Speaking of which...
What are the Italian lyrics for ‘Nessun Dorma’?
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!
ll nome suo nessun saprà E noi dovrem, ahimè! Morir! Morir!
Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle! Tramontate, stelle!
All'alba vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!
We named Puccini one of the greatest opera composers ever
When was 'Nessun Dorma' written?
Puccini started writing the opera Turandot in 1920, after being inspired by the 18th-century play of the same name by Count Carlo Gozzi. However, Puccini died before finishing the works, so the opera was completed by Franco Alfano.
- We named Puccini one of the greatest Italian composers... and one of opera's greatest composers
- Here's soprano Angela Gheorghiu on the challenges and delights of performing Puccini
'Nessun Dorma' is a famous aria from Turandot's final act. Calaf, aka the Unknown Prince, is the character who gets to sing this marvellous aria. He falls in love with the cold Princess Turandot, who sets him three riddles.
Calaf, to her dismay, gets them correct, unlike her other suiters. In a bid to finally win her hand Calaf sets her a new challenge – to discover his real name before dawn. If she fails, she has to marry him.
When did it become famous?
The aria acquired global fame in the 1990s when the tenor Luciano Pavarotti (who placed high in our list of the greatest tenors of all time) performed it at the 1990 football World Cup. It captivated a global audience and became one of the key drivers behind football's becoming more accessible and accepted during that decade. It was also later performed by The Three Tenors, comprising Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras.
Elsewhere on the site you can find our reviews of the latest Puccini recordings, and our the latest opera recordings. And you can can also find lyrics to many more famous songs.