During the 1998 Grammy Awards, Aretha Franklin was asked to step in for opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, who had fallen ill and was unable to attend. "Nessun Dorma" is an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot," traditionally sung by a tenor. Aretha Franklin's decision to take on this iconic opera piece, typically performed by an opera singer, was a bold and unexpected choice.