NESSUN DORMA / OCTOBER 8,2008

I've been a fan of Paul Potts ever since I viewed a You Tube upload of his first-round audition for Britain's Got Talent. Something about the sad-eyed-shabbily-dressed-crooked-toothed man instantly grabbed my heart. He looked every bit like the kid in school everyone loved to pick on. (True enough, in his semi-final interview, he mentioned that singing has always been his sanctuary everytime he gets bullied in school.) He looked every bit like a man from whom no one really expects much from. Even before he could open his mouth, I found myself already rooting for him.

"What are you going to do for us today, Paul?" they asked.

"I'm going to sing opera," he shyly answered.

Pierce looked to Amanda and Simon, his thoughts betrayed by the expression on his face. "Here we go again....just another loony thinking he could sing..."

Then he sang, his voice soaring with every note.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Even before the contest ended, I read somewhere that Simon Cowell already offered him a 2 million dollar (or was it pound?) contract. Quite a bit of money for the lowly car phone salesmane from Bristol. Last Christmas, Sister Pusjing and bro-in-law G-Genius gave Hubby Sweet a Paul Potts CD. It is one of his treasured gifts. Paul Potts is actually the only artist that the Hubby refuses to download from Torrentz. He respects the guy that much, and feels that after everything he's been through, he deserves to get every bit of penny he is entitled to. =)

Last Wednesday, Hubby Sweet and I--with Father, cousin Tiririt and fave-aunt Panet--found ourselves trooping to the PICC to see him in person. He's better dressed now, the shabby, ill-fitting coat had given way to a smart tuxedo. He's better groomed as well, his crooked teeth straightened (although I really think it's a temporary guard =)). But the familiar, unsure gait is still there as he ambled shyly towards the center microphone. Despite everything he's accomplished, his innate shyness is apparent. He's not yet suave, even fumbling through some of his spiels. At certain points, he looks like he still can't believe people would actually pay to see him. Yet, that exactly is where his charm lies. Paul Potts is still raw, yet his innate talent shines through, his voice fluid and easy.

True, Rachelle Gerodias--the Filipina Soprano who alternated with him and dueted with him--got the louder applause at all turns. She with the impeccable pitch and lungs powerful enough to sustain unbelievably long and ridiculously high notes. But she's a trained soprano. Paul Potts is self-taught. He learned opera from watching shows and listening to records. He will learn all the technical aspects (he did run out of air in one song) in due time. In the meantime, both Hubby Sweet and I appreciate the fact that we got to see him live--before he turns all suave and polished. After all, the Paul Potts we saw that night at the PICC is the same Paul Potts we fell in love with in our living room.

His final song of the night was both his audition and winning piece. I've always wondered what Nessun Dorma meant. Father had joked sometime during the evening that the largely Filipino audience applauded Rachelle more because she sang Filipino songs (Mutya ng Pasig, Sa Kabukiran, etc.), while most of Paul's songs required subtitles. Haha!

Nessun Dorma translates to "Nobody Shall Sleep" in English. As Paul narrated before he sang it, it was an aria from an opera about a princess who said she will only marry someone who can successfully do some challenge (I forget now what). Those who fail will have their heads cut off. When this guy finally succeeded, she did not want to marry him, but the King reminded her that she was the one who made the rules and should therefore abide by them. The guy gave her an out. If before daylight, she is able to tell him his name (which I presumed nobody knows), he would gladly let her cut off his head. Otherwise, she would have to marry him. Hearing this, the princess ordered everyone in the kingdom not to rest until someone can give her his name.

Nessun Dorma is the song sung, full of love and hope, before daylight. For Paul Potts, the ending says it all.

Nessun Dorma: the English Translation (from Classical Music, About.com)

Nobody shall sleep!
Nobody shall sleep!
Even you, oh Princess,
In your cold room,
Watch the stars
That tremble with love and with hope,
But my secret is hidden with me,
My name, no one shall know,
No! No!
On your mouth, I will tell it when the light shines.
And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!

(No one will know his name, and we must, alas, die.)

Vanish, o night!
Set, stars! Set, stars!
At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win!

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Here's the link to my original post on Paul Potts: his audition episode on Britain's Got Talent. =)