Seriously worth spreading

[monkeybard]

I only just got youtube to cooperate.  So glad it finally did!  This was on miera_c's lj and I just have to post it, too, because it needs to be everywhere.  I will preface this with the following facts:
I don't like opera.
I don't have a clue what the lyrics mean.
This gives me shivers and damned near moves me to tears.

Don't just listen to the performer; watch the judges' faces.  They're a study in "HOLY SHIT! Where did that come from?!" gobsmackedness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

Comments

Thanks!!

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks so much for posting this!! I just finished watching, and, quite honestly, I'm wiping tears from my eyes. What an amazing thing! I want this guy to win so badly that I can barely stand it.

BTW, the aria is one of the most famous....from the opera 'Turindot'.

-Ry

Re: Thanks!!

[monkeybard]

Yeah. I know it's Puccini, but only in the way that I know 'O Mio Babbino Caro' is, you know? Through non-opera sources. I wish I were in Britain so I could vote for Paul Potts, the cell phone salesman from south Wales. :D

[jaunthie.livejournal.com]

As for the lyrics, here's a rough translation:

Prince Calaf:
None must sleep! None must sleep!
And you, too, Princess,
in your cold room,
gaze at the stars
which tremble with love
and hope!

But my mystery is locked within me,
no-one knows my name!
No, no, you shall know it as my mouth
meets yours when the dawn is breaking!

And my kiss will break the silence
and make you mine!

Turandot's Ladies:
(No-one shall know his name,
and we, alas, shall die!)

Prince Calaf:
Vanish, o night!
Fade, stars!
At dawn I shall win!
I shall win!
I shall win!

(The situation is that Princess Turnadot has ordered the entire city not to sleep but instead to search out the unknown Prince (Calaf) who set her the challenge of finding out his name. Kind of like Rumplestiltskin in a vague sort of way.)

I thought two of the judges looked completely blown away and won over. The third I thought had a cross of "WTF?" and "I cannot BELIEVE this!" on his face that was truly funny to witness. Thanks for sharing!

[monkeybard]

Huh. I like it better in Italian. ;) Thanks for the setting and translation, though. Now I know.