E-mail
Print
Opera community mourns death of Pavarotti
Deck
By Michael Maniaci
Often considered one of opera’s greatest performers, his death was a tremendous loss to the musical community.
On Sept. 6, 2007 Luciano Pavarotti passed away after a year long battle with pancreatic cancer. Pavarotti has been likened to a modern day savior, responsible for the resurgence of opera. Often considered one of opera’s greatest performers, his death was a tremendous loss to the musical community.
He was born in the northern Italian town of Modena on Oct. 12, 1935. He took an interest in singing from his father; the two would sing in the church choir together.
His opera debut came in April of 1961 as Rodolfo in “La Boheme.” Debuting in America in February of 1965, he performed with his soon-to-be lifelong friend Joan Sutherland.
During the ‘70s and ‘80s he performed at nearly all major opera houses across Europe and America. However, he quickly earned the nickname of "The King of Cancellations" for having to step away from so many performances.
In 1986, Pavarotti received a standing ovation while performing the first concert ever in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
His popularity became even more pronounced in the early ‘90s while performing in the musical troupe The Three Tenors. Most notably was the performance at the 1990 FIFA World Cup Final and sequentially in 1994, 1998 and 2002.
In 1998, he received the Grammy Legend Award, an honor given out to those in the music community for outstanding contribution and influence.
His last performance was on Feb. 10, 2006 at the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Turin, Italy. His performance of “Nessun Dorma” garnered him one of the largest standing ovations of his career.
Pavarotti was also well known for his humanitarian efforts such as “Pavarotti and Friends,” held annually in Modena. The concert included a variety of performers from the music industry to help raise awareness of global issues and raise money for numerous charitable causes of the UN.
He had a tight friendship with Princess Diana, working together with her on different causes. He has performed with such music legends as Bono, Stevie Wonder, Sting, James Brown and Elton John.
Summarizing his life, Pavarotti said, "I think a life in music is a life beautifully spent and this is what I have devoted my life to." It is with great sadness that we face the loss of one of the greatest performers of the 20th century. Although his life has ended, his spirit and legacy of opera will live on in the hearts of people he has touched.
> Comments