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Innocent Masuku’s ‘unstoppable’ Nessun dorma leaves Britain’s Got Talent judge in tears
5 June 2024, 11:31
The Britain’s Got Talent finalist received a standing ovation after a roof-raising performance of opera’s greatest aria.
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After storming his way to the Britain’s Got Talent finale with a spine-tingling rendition of Hans Zimmer’s ‘Now We Are Free’ from Gladiator, Innocent Masuku has once again stunned the nation, this time with a rousing ‘Nessun dorma’.
The new star tenor commanded the stage with the legendary aria from Puccini’s Turandot, delivering a show-stopping chorus of ‘Vinceros’ to rapturous applause from the audience.
Read more: Innocent Masuku sings hair-raising Hans Zimmer anthem to win place in Britain’s Got Talent final
It seems his performance had an especially powerful effect on judge Bruno Tonioli, who was moved to tears.
“We have to start with Bruno because he was crying like a baby,” host Ant McPartlin said, before asking the panellist, “Can you speak?”
“I am a mess!” Tonioli agreed, wiping tears from his eyes. “You know why… This really is the gold standard for tenors.”
Read more: Freddie De Tommaso breaks down what exactly makes ‘Nessun dorma’ the greatest aria of all
“It means so much and it’s not just about hitting the notes,” Bruno continued. “It’s about conveying the meaning which in Italian really is all about hope, determination, being fearless, about embracing your destiny, being unstoppable.”
Addressing Masuku directly, he said: “Honey, you are unstoppable, after this performance. You’ve got it.”
His fellow judges agreed, as popstar Alesha Dixon called him “sensational” and “otherworldly”, adding: “Whenever I sit here and listen to you sing I feel like I’m in the presence of greatness, and I feel like I should be bowing down.”
Read more: What are the lyrics to Puccini’s ‘Nessun dorma’ and what do they mean?
‘Nessun dorma’ is arguably the greatest tenor aria of all time, and one of the best-known pieces of classical music worldwide.
Since Luciano Pavarotti’s landmark performance of the aria at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Rome, Puccini’s melody has become an instantly-recognisable household tune.
Read more: When Whitney Houston surprised the world with an extraordinary Verdi aria… with Luciano Pavarotti
Innocent Masuku wows with Nessun Dorma on BGT
Its legendary status wasn’t lost on judge Simon Cowell, who remarked on Masuku’s stand-out performance: “It is the biggest operatic song in the world, right? And we’ve had a lot of people sing it on this show.
“I don’t think anyone’s ever sung it as good as you just did. Genuinely.”
Masuku appeared ecstatic at the judge’s comments, and responded telling hosts Ant and Dec of his gratitude at being able to sing the iconic aria: “It’s been my favourite song for the longest time, and to be able to sing it on the biggest stage in the grand finale of Britain’s Got Talent is a treat.”
After being tipped as favourite to win following the semi-finals, Masuku was beaten to the top prize by singer Sydnie Christmas, who sang a beautiful rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.
But we’re sure this isn’t the last we’ve heard from Innocent Masuku. Here’s to a prosperous opera career for this star tenor!
