"Nessun Dorma" is probably the best-known Italian song throughout the English-speaking world, having been popularized by the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti; after it was used as a TV theme song for the 1990 soccer world cup, it reached #2 on the UK singles chart, the highest position ever for a classical song.
In Puccini's Turandot, "Nessun Dorma" is sung by Calaf (the unknown prince). The title translates as "None Shall Sleep," but although it has been recorded in English, the Italian version is usually preferred. The opera, which has a libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni, saw its first public performance on April 25, 1926. Pucinni did not live to see it; he died in November 1924, shortly after being diagnosed with throat cancer.
"Nessun Dorma" was published as a standalone piece several times from the 1990s, including, according to the British Library catalogue, as "World Cup Italia '90 theme: as featured on TV: Puccini's Nessun dorma!" This is an easy-play version for recorder, flute, violin or clarinet/tenor saxophone and piano, arranged by Barrie Carson Turner.
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