“Nessun Dorma” is one of the best-known tenor arias in all opera.
The title translates to “let no one sleep,” and you’ll certainly be wide awake to hear this magnificent performance by famous tenor Rafael Rojas at the shopping mall in Leeds. It’s a classy act that proves how easy it is to incorporate culture in every part of our lives. Even shopping becomes more interesting with some opera in between!
When world-known artists organize a surprise performance in public, there’s usually nothing in it for them—nothing but the joy and happiness of their loving audience, that is. Rafael Rojas, the famous tenor from Mexico, decided to go for the reward of seeing people enjoy the opera, and the results are impressive.
Born in Mexico, Rojas studied at the University of Guadalajara before continuing to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music.
He topped it all off with a degree in Drama from the Royal Northern College of Music. In 1995, Rafael took part in the Placido Domingo Competition and won the prestigious Domingo prize, followed by a personal invitation to sing El Gato Montes at the Washington Opera.
His successes have kept piling up ever since, and today, Rafael Rojas is an established musical star.
In 2017, shoppers in Leeds were lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Little did they know that the famous tenor was about to step on the floor and sing “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot. The opera is almost 100 years old, but Rojas brings it to the people in a way that makes it just as relevant as ever.
As the video begins, you can see people walking around stores just like they would on any normal day.
The camera follows Rojas as he walks in the mall, looking for the most acoustic spot. Suddenly, the music begins, and the tenor lets his majestic voice loose. Right away, the people’s reaction is unbelievable!
Almost everyone stood still, trying to figure out where the wonderful sound was coming from.
When shoppers realize that it was a live performance and someone was standing and singing, everyone pulled out their phones to capture the moment.
As soon as the chorus chimed in, we got goosebumps!
Rojas is an amazing performer with a powerful voice that kept dozens of people engaged in the words of “Nessum Dorma.”
Most people likely didn’t understand a single word he was singing, and yet they were still mesmerized.
Sometimes,it’s not about understanding, it’s about feeling the art and appreciating it. The greatest surprise is revealed when it comes time to sing the chorus!
Before long, Rojas is joined by ladies of the Chorus of Opera North, and they all start singing together.
The outcome is a wonderful aria these people will probably remember forever!
In the end, Rojas and the chorus get a huge round of applause.
When it’s all over, you can see a huge smile on Rojas’ face.
Congratulations to these talented performers for putting on a show these people will remember forever!
We may not be able to go to the mall right now, but when we can, we hope to run into a performance like this one for ourselves.
Check out the full video by clicking on the link below:
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