Turandot remains my favorite opera, largely because of the aria Nessun Dorma. I think of it often, the aria, when I’m dead tired with so much yet to do. The lyrics begin with Nobody shall sleep and end with I will win! Makes me push on and be triumphant! Pavarotti performs it best, in my opinion; it’s almost as though Puccini wrote it just for him.
In these days Nessun Dorma rings through my head while I have little sleep but look forward to the setting stars and the coming of dawn when I shall have conquored the obstacles.
Nobody shall sleep!…
Nobody shall sleep!
Even you, o 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!
Auntie B's Wax 
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