It’s even been sung by a virtual chorus of 700 children across Europe. It’s been performed at hospitals in Poland. Throughout 2020, people turned “Nessun dorma” into a global anthem… even more than it was before. And for the record - whether you say “TuranDOT” like I do, or “TuranDOH” - you’re right.

It’s “Nessun dorma” from the opera Turandot by Giacomo Puccini. So this episode is all about an aria that’s become a huge symbol of resilience and hope.

It’s kept me focused and most of the time, resilient.

And look, I miss performing live like every other musician on the planet, but there’s still so many ways that music has kept me going. There have been some bright spots, though, like getting to spend a lot of time with my kids, making pasta… lots and lots of pasta… and it’s all currently sitting here right on my hips, thank you very much. it’s almost impossible to put into words what these last twelve or so months have meant for all of us. So I just need to start out by saying how glad I am to be back with a new season of Aria Code. ĬHO: This is victory and triumph and defiance. Today, it's one of the most heroic and hopeful arias ever written: “Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot.

GIDDENS: Every episode we break down a single aria so we can hear it in a whole new way. It’s trying to rise above the darkness and the night. NÉZET-SÉGUIN: It feels like the fog is dissipating. GIDDENS: From WQXR and the Metropolitan Opera, this is Aria Code. MIDGETTE: It’s a cry of victory, a cry of hope, and a cry of an underdog overcoming the odds and winning after all.

Puccini opera nessun dorma