Nessun Dorma 'to challenge for number one'
Nessun Dorma became Luciano Pavarotti's signature aria
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Saturday, 08, Sep 2007 07:47
Luciano Pavarotti could be set for a posthumous return to the UK singles chart after download sales of his iconic rendition of Puccini's Nessun Dorma soared.
Online retailers have reported skyrocketing sales since the great tenor's death at the age of 71 from pancreatic cancer on Thursday.
And a day after world figures and thousands of mourners attended his funeral in his hometown of Modena, Italy, Pavarotti could break into the top ten of the official British singles chart on Sunday.
Nessun Dorma, from Turandot, has become Pavarotti's signature operatic work after being adopted by the BBC for their coverage of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, and his performance of the aria with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras at the Three Tenors concert in Rome.
Although Nessun Dorma is unlikely to disrupt the current top three of Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston, Kanye West's Stronger and Hey There Delilah from Plain White T's, there is belief among retailers that momentum for the song could build and potentially make it the first ever classical or operatic piece to top the official singles chart next week.
"It really would be wonderful if Nessun Dorma could become the first classical piece of music to ever make it to the top of the official singles charts," said HMV's Gennaro Castaldo.
"Not only would it be a fitting tribute to Pavarotti's genius, but it would acknowledge the great affection in which he was held by the public across the UK and Ireland.
"It's often the case that when an icon from the world of music and film dies there is a surge in demand for their recordings. While they are alive we tend to take their presence for granted, but as soon as they pass away many of us feel a strong impulse to keep their memory and talent alive by purchasing a CD or DVD of their greatest work."