Arts: Nessun Dorma (Puccini): Pavarotti

This aria, from Puccini's final opera, TURANDOT (set in Peking), is sung by the hero the night before the contest at which he must guess the name of the Chinese princess or die. His final words express complete confidence: "I shall win! I shall win! I shall win! ("Vincero! Vincero! Vincero").

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

The Prince: "No-one sleeps . . . no-one sleeps, even you, O Princess, in your cold room, Watch the stars which tremble with love and hope! But my secret is locked within me, no-one shall know my name! No, no, I shall say it on your mouth when the light breaks! And my kiss will break the silence that makes you mine! Vanish, O night! Set, you stars! Set, you stars! At dawn I shall win. I shall win! I shall win!"