STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Nessun Dorma conjures great memories of the 1990 World Cup. What can you tell me about the piece? – K.
“It will be remembered as the outstanding theme of any sporting event,” according to TV presenter Des Lynam. And who’d argue with Des? The BBC’S Italia 90 theme was Luciano Pavarotti’s 1972 recording of the aria, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehta. Nessun Dorma, meaning Let No One Sleep, is from Giacomo Puccini’s opera, Turandot.