This is part of my series of opera cocktail pairings to share the experience of fantastic music enjoyed with a cocktail. Please read the intro and premise of the project here! I take more time with the opera plot here, as I feel it contributes enormously to the enjoyment of this aria and of this pairing.
Opera Selection
Aria: Nessun Dorma
Opera: Turandot by Giacomo Puccini
“None shall sleep” is repeated twice at the opening of this show stopping aria in the final act of Puccini’s sweeping opera Turandot. A quick synopsis of the tale up until this point: Prince Calaf (“of unknown origins” but probably Tartar) has succeeded in answering the three riddles posed by the “Chinese” Princess Turandot for her hand in marriage (‘Turandot’ is a name with Persian roots, so she was likely Central Asian). Many princes from distant lands have come before Calaf to win the princess’ hand, and were tragically executed for their failure to answer the riddles correctly.
Calaf is deeply drawn to Turandot and asks her why she established such a cruel system. She explains that her ancestress suffered horrific abuse and murder at the hands of an invading prince. Turandot wants nothing to do with men and has forsaken the concept of romantic love. With this knowledge Calaf decides he must attempt the riddles in the hopes of kindling love in her heart, to turn her away from death and towards life. Turandot senses the sincerity in Calaf’s countenance and she feels strongly for him, but resolutely quashes her feelings.
Although he answers the riddles correctly and is entitled to her hand, Calaf understands that Turandot is distraught at the prospect of having to submit to marriage. Calaf gives her an out: If she can find out his name by daybreak, he will die on her word. He hopes against hope that Turandot can find it within herself to give him, and love, a chance. It is during this sleepless night that Calaf sings this famous aria. His soliloquy is a reassurance to himself that the princess will open her heart, and that he and love will prevail.
This aria reflects a confident man, yet it is full of fervent hope that Turandot will choose love, life, and him. Although Calaf proclaims he will be triumphant at the magnificent close of the aria, the music is underscored by beautifully poignant harmonies quivering with ardor. When sung by a sensitive artist, one can almost detect a tremor of fear that Turandot will ultimately show him no mercy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nessun Dorma Cocktail
2 oz Vodka
1 oz Espresso (freshly made and hot, for the frothy crema on the top of your drink)
1 oz Black Walnut Liqueur (e.g. Nocello or Nocino)
Coffee Bean for garnish (alternative: lemon ribbon)
Pour into a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously until cold and very frothy. (Calaf may show confidence, but he needs all the help he can get.)
.
Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a coffee bean. If you don’t have coffee beans, cut a slender lemon twist reminiscent of espresso served in Rome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few thoughts about Nessun Dorma and the cocktail
It’s not as though Calaf needs caffeine to stay awake — his life is on the line — but here we have vodka for the backbone of the cocktail and strength for Calaf, espresso bringing richness and a hint of bitterness for the depth of his emotions, his wish to understand the princess’ pain, and the possibility of death. Deep baking spice aromas and sweetness from the black walnut liqueur lend warmth and reflect the hope and love Calaf bears for Turandot.
This cocktail isn’t as sweet as a classic espresso martini: no Kahlua, no sugar syrup. The black walnut liqueur is the only source of perceptible sweetness here. Why? I wanted a glint of sharpness from the vodka on the finish after a creamier mid-palate. Calaf has confidence Turandot will bestow upon him life and fulfillment, but the possibility stands that she will give him no quarter: at daybreak, she may well sentence him to death by beheading.
The cocktail finishes with a warm echo of the walnut liqueur, a sure sign of Calaf’s ardent hope that the princess will open her heart to him. He is willing to risk everything for this one chance at happiness.
Savor this drink and the aria - the cocktail goes down quite easily! Allow the contours of the music to carry you to your own delight.
Cocktail in hand? Have a listen!
Nessun Dorma requires the tenor to cover a large range, from very low to very high notes. The denouement of the aria comes with Calaf’s cries of “Vincerò!” (“I will win!”) with the last syllable on increasingly higher notes, and a final proclamation on an even higher note (A4 above middle C). Some tenors sustain that note for a very long time before the final note, although Puccini did not specify this in the score. While this is an incredible feat of power and technique, I personally do not prefer a long sustain on the penultimate note. To me, it feels like a purely theatrical show of virtuosity and detracts from Calaf’s sincerity in his hopes for a future with Turandot. In the context of the opera, doing so would only underscore Calaf’s callousness in wishing to win the princess as an act of conquest, not for love or respect for her.
I’ve selected videos of some of my favorite artists singing this aria. Enjoy!
Roberto Alagna - Theatre Antique Orange with Michel Piasson (start watching at 3:28) - Alagna’s Calaf made me see, for the first time, this character as a redemptive and sympathetic human being. I had loathed every Calaf in the productions I watched during my childhood and had grown up believing he was a swaggering chauvinist intent on claiming Turandot as a prize. These Calafs did not respect or even truly want Turandot. They wanted a conquest, another thing to tick off on their list of accomplishments.
With Roberto Alagna, all this changed for me. From the start, his Calaf is so affected by Turandot that he cannot explain how taken he is by her. He makes a real, concerted effort to try to know the princess and to understand her. Alagna’s Prince Calaf made me believe that he truly wishes Turandot to find love with him. Yes, he is overconfident. Yet, he is willing to offer his own life for the possibility of the princess’ redemption, and for her freedom and chance at happiness. Truly, it was a panacea for me to witness such a Calaf.
This video is from a full live performance, and it is my favorite production to date. The Nessun Dorma aria is not even the highlight for me; it is Alagna’s demeanor throughout the opera and especially his interactions with Lise Lindstrom’s wonderful Turandot. Please watch this fantastic production, and if not Part 1, then Part 2 for the exciting final act.
Jonas Kaufmann - Filarmonica Della Scala with Jochen Rieder - It’s a shame there are no recordings of Kaufmann as Calaf in a full-length production of the opera. He is the kind of artist who, with this one aria alone, makes me believe wholeheartedly that his Calaf is in love and wishes for nothing but for Turandot to come to him. He sings with such heartfelt emotion that I am sure Calaf is committed to his fate: whether she brings him life or death, Turandot is worth everything to him.
Luciano Pavarotti - Los Angeles Philharmonic with Zubin Mehta - It is impossible to ignore Pavarotti’s rendition of Nessun Dorma. It was practically his calling card. While I do not prefer the theatrically sustained penultimate note, this style was perfect for concerts celebrating tenor virtuosity. His voice is incredible and his delivery seemingly effortless. He could sing from C#3 (one octave below middle C) to F5 (in the octave above middle C)! I grew up listening to Pavarotti a great deal and I have always appreciated his interpretation of Nessun Dorma as a standalone piece for its sheer musical magic.