Luciano Pavarotti was certainly no one hit wonder, but for many people outside of the classical music world, it's his performance of "Nessun Dorma" that they know. Why? Most likely because of his performance of the aria from Puccini’s opera, Turandot, during the 1990 FIFA World Cup, which was the tournament's theme song. Millions of people had tuned in to see the event, and besides getting an eyeful of soccer, they got an earful of Luciano Pavarotti.

Most people, even those who know nothing about classical music and opera, if given recordings of three different tenors without knowing who's who, will pick Pavarotti as the best singer hands down. "Nessun Dorma" is a difficult song to sing, but Pavarotti sure had an easy time doing it. He sings it with such ease, such clarity, it's unreal. Other singers just don't measure up. Need proof? Check it out on YouTube videos of various singers and Pavarotti. Listen for the differences among Paul Potts, Andrea Bocelli, Jussi Bjorling and Franco Corelli.

Let's start with Paul Potts' performance on the popular television show, Britain's Got Talent.

Apart from the apparent lack of training, he has a lovely voice, but that's just not enough to do justice to such a beautiful and powerful aria. It's like if "Nessun Dorma" was a diamond ring, he just delivered it to you in a brown paper sack filled with mud. Andre Bocelli, a singer to whom Pavarotti gave his personal approval, has a beautiful voice with clarity and warm tone, however, his performance lacks energy, as if it's without life or meaning. Jussi Bjorling's performance is probably the second best I've heard. His voice is just as bright as Pavarotti's, but his phrasing isn't as good. Franco Corelli, too, has a beautiful voice with a well-rounded tone, but his vowels are much darker. There's also heaviness to his voice, which sometimes pulls his notes slightly under pitch. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it's hard to say Pavarotti's performance isn't anything short of amazing.

Text by - Classical Music Expert

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<http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/opera/qt/nessun_dorma_pavarotti.htm> Acesso em: 13/04/2015, às 10h (fins pedagógicos – adaptado).

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