The Voice...

31829 ~ That was the number which was worn by Paul Robert Potts, mobile phone salesman with Carphone Warehouse in Bridgend, during his first audition for the 1st Edition of Britain Got Talent Competition in 2007. This man completely bowled over and won the hearts of the 3 judges namely Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell plus the 2,000 audiences who were shocked to their brains over his performance. As I watched through the audition on YouTube [ 5,472,132 hits on this piece ] last night, after this guy was specially mentioned by Pst. Ng Kok Kee during church service, [ I was apprehensive at first at the showing of the video clip!] I have nothing but great amazement for such an individual. [ Gosh! God made every one so different but special ] On stage stood a short, balding, shy , modest, crooked & broken teeth with cheap suit, 37 year old man on stage and blowing off the minds and hearts of the audiences!
When Amanda asked him, " Paul, what are you here for today, Paul?", he just simply answered “To sing opera!” You could actually see Piers Morgan looking dazed together with Amanda Holden while Simon Cowell had the “ Here comes another crap!” facial expression. Then, there was about 10 seconds silence before the music goes on and I was also as apprehensive as those people were. But when Paul Potts opened his mouth and sang Giacomo Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma “ from “Turandot”, every one was mesmerized and amazed at his ability to sing opera. When he finished, he completely bowled over Simon Cowell who was clearly amazed by this man’s ability while it brought tears to the eyes of Amanda Holden. What a talent! Anyway, he went on to win the coveted title of winner of “Britain Got Talent” Competition beating 6-year old favourite, Connie Talbot who sang “ Somewhere Over the Rainbow” [ another crowd favourite ]
As always, I did my little research and found out that this piece, Giacomo Puccini's “Nessun Dorma” from “Turandot” is made popular by the late Luciano Pavarotti. By the way, I am no opera expert I must admit but I found out too that “Nessun Dorma” means “None Shall Sleep Tonight”. It is sung by Calaf, il principe ignoto (the unknown prince), who falls in love at first sight with the beautiful but cold Princess Turandot. However, any man who wishes to wed Turandot must first answer her three riddles. If he fails, he will be beheaded.
In the act before this aria, Calaf has correctly answered the three riddles put to all of Princess Turandot's prospective suitors. Nevertheless, she recoils at the thought of marriage to him. Calaf offers her another chance by challenging her to guess his name by dawn. (As he kneels before her, the Nessun dorma theme makes a first appearance, to his words, "Il mio nome non sai!") If she does so, she can execute him; but if she does not, she must marry him. The cruel and emotionally cold princess then decrees that none of her subjects is to sleep that night until his name is discovered. If they fail, all will be killed.As the final act opens, it is now night. Calaf is alone in the moonlit palace gardens. In the distance, he hears Turandot's heralds proclaiming her command. His aria begins with an echo of their cry and a reflection on Princess Turandot:-

Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma! Tu pure, o Principessa, nella tua fredda stanza, guardi le stelle che tremano d'amore, e di speranza!"
(English translation: "None shall sleep! None shall sleep! Even you, O Princess, in your cold bedroom, watch the stars that tremble with love and with hope!")
"Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me; il nome mio nessun saprà! No, No! Sulla tua bocca lo dirò quando la luce splenderà!"
("But my secret is hidden within me; none will know my name! No, no! On your mouth I will say it when the light shines!")
"Ed il mio bacio scioglierà il silenzio che ti fa mia!"
("And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!")
Just before the climactic end of the aria, a chorus of women is heard singing in the distance:
"Il nome suo nessun saprà... E noi dovrem, ahimè, morir, morir!"
("No one will know his name... and we will have to, alas, die, die!")
Calaf, now certain of victory, sings:
"Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle! Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!"
("Vanish, o night! Set, stars! Set, stars! At daybreak I shall win! I shall win! I shall win!")

Well, God made every one of us different and He equipped us with many talents. So, remember Paul Robert Potts, don’t judge any one by their exterior and outward appearance. Know that it’s the beauty that is in the inside that is most important. Peace to opera lovers!~