An aria sung by the unknown prince 'Calaf' in Puccini's 'Turandot', how does 'Nessum Dorma' translate into English?
Nessun dorma Nessun dorma "" (; English: "None shall sleep") is an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot" and one of the best-known tenor arias in all opera. It is sung by Calaf, (the unknown prince), who falls in love at first sight with the beautiful but cold Princess Turandot. However, any man who wishes to wed Turandot must first answer her three riddles; if he fails, he will be beheaded. In the aria, Calaf expresses his triumphant assurance that he will win the princess. Although "Nessun dorma" has long been a staple of operatic recitals, Luciano Pavarotti
Turandot her tenderly, not forcefully; and the lines beginning "Del primo pianto" (Of the first tears) are expanded into an aria where Turandot tells Calaf more fully about her change of heart. Concerning the compelling believability of the self-sacrificial Liù character in contrast to the two mythic protagonists, biographers note echoes in Puccini's own life. He had had a servant named Doria, whom his wife accused of sexual relations with Puccini. The accusations escalated until Doria killed herself – though the autopsy revealed she died a virgin. In "Turandot", Puccini lavished his attention on the familiar sufferings of Liù, as he