Nessun dorma
The turning point in his career came one night at an engagement at Wigan Road Working Men's Club, when the secretary suggested that he try singing "Nessun dorma" from Puccini's "Turandot". Although Russell Watson was not a classically trained singer, he continued to perform the aria, and was encouraged to try other classical pieces. In 1990 he won a Search for a Star contest organised by Manchester's Piccadilly Radio.