Aretha Franklin might not be a full-fledged opera performer, yet the iconic soul singer proved she could master any musical challenge. Her stunning rendition of “Nessun dorma” at the 1998 Grammy Awards is a prime example of her incredible versatility. Stepping in for her ailing friend, Luciano Pavarotti, Franklin delivered a performance that left everyone in awe.
Luciano Pavarotti, the acclaimed Italian opera tenor, catapulted Giacomo Puccini’s “Nessun dorma” into the limelight with his performance at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. This piece became his hallmark, performed poignantly at his final appearance during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
When Pavarotti had to bow out of the 1998 Grammy Awards in New York City at the last minute due to illness, the organizers turned to the Queen of Soul for a miracle. Having witnessed Franklin’s rendition of the aria just two nights before at a MusiCares dinner, Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich had no hesitation in asking her to fill in.
Franklin’s leap into opera, a genre she wasn’t formally trained in, and effortlessly showcases her innate musical genius. Her performance of “Nessun dorma” is remarkable, tackling the aria’s challenging high B note with ease. What makes this feat even more extraordinary is that the orchestra played it in a key originally intended for a male tenor voice, yet Franklin met the challenge head-on, making the performance even more impressive. You can experience Pavarotti’s version of the aria in the video below.
Aretha Franklin, who left us in 2018 at the age of 76, brought her distinctive soul and R&B flair to “Nessun dorma”. The Tennessee original’s rendition is particularly special for the way she effortlessly navigates the lower tenor notes that open the piece.
The legendary Sting, known for his work with The Police, had the honor of introducing Franklin at the Grammy Awards. Following her mesmerizing performance, they jointly presented Luciano Pavarotti with the Grammy Living Legend Award, an accolade Franklin herself had been awarded years earlier.
“Luciano, I know you’re at home cheering on Aretha, cheering quietly but cheering nonetheless. He then presented the Living Legend award to Pavarotti in absentia, stating that ‘Living is the perfect word for you Luciano, for not only do you possess one of the greatest voices ever, but your spirit and zest for life is singular,’” the former bassist said.
Franklin’s rendition was met with a standing ovation and reached an audience of one billion viewers around the globe. She later recorded a studio version of “Nessun dorma” and included it in her live performances, with her final public performance of the aria taking place in 2015 for Pope Francis at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. For those interested in exploring more of Aretha Franklin’s legendary music, here are her YouTube channel and Facebook account.