LUCIANO PAVAROTTI
Name: Luciano Pavarotti
Born: 12 October 1935
Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce (October 12, 1935 — September 6,
2007) was an Italian operatic tenor, who crossed over into popular music and
became one of the world's most famous vocal performers. He was one of The Three
Tenors and was well known for his televised concerts and media appearances.
Pavarotti was also noted for his charity work benefiting refugees, the Red Cross
and other causes.
He was born in Modena to the family of a baker. After abandoning the dream to
become a professional football goalkeeper, Pavarotti spent seven years in vocal
training and began his career as a tenor in 1961 in Italy. He sang in houses in
The Netherlands, Vienna, London, Ankara, Budapest and Barcelona. The young tenor
earned valuable experience and significant recognition while touring on the
invitation of soprano Joan Sutherland and during his 1965 US debut in Miami on
her recommendation. His position was solidified in the years between 1966 and
1972, during which Pavarotti first appeared at Milan's La Scala, other major
European houses and, in 1968, NYC's Metropolitan Opera to great acclaim.
By the mid-1970s, the tenor became known worldwide, famed for the brilliance and
beauty of his tone, especially into the upper register. His "high C" became
one of his trademarks. The late 1970s and 1980s saw Pavarotti making significant
appearances in the world's opera houses and establishing himself as one of the
great singers of the era.
Popular stardom came at the 1990 World Cup in Italy with the performances of
Nessun Dorma,sample (help·info) from Turandot and as one of The Three Tenors in
their famed first concert held on the eve of the final match of the tournament (repeated
at later Cups). Pavarotti sang together with fellow star tenors Plácido Domingo
and José Carreras and brought to the much wider audience hits previously
confined to the opera world. Appearances in advertisements and with pop icons in
concerts around the world furthered his influence. Pavarotti always maintained
his identity as an opera star, unlike many crossover artists.
The later years brought a decline in ability to perform on stage due to a weight
gain and lack of mobility. Pavarotti's final appearance in an opera was at the
Met in March 2004. The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy saw him performing
for the last time. Pavarotti sang Nessun dorma, with the crowd as its Chorus,
and got a thunderous standing ovation. On September 6, 2007, he died at home in
Modena from pancreatic cancer.
Name: Luciano Pavarotti
Born: 12 October 1935
Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce (October 12, 1935 — September 6,
2007) was an Italian operatic tenor, who crossed over into popular music and
became one of the world's most famous vocal performers. He was one of The Three
Tenors and was well known for his televised concerts and media appearances.
Pavarotti was also noted for his charity work benefiting refugees, the Red Cross
and other causes.
He was born in Modena to the family of a baker. After abandoning the dream to
become a professional football goalkeeper, Pavarotti spent seven years in vocal
training and began his career as a tenor in 1961 in Italy. He sang in houses in
The Netherlands, Vienna, London, Ankara, Budapest and Barcelona. The young tenor
earned valuable experience and significant recognition while touring on the
invitation of soprano Joan Sutherland and during his 1965 US debut in Miami on
her recommendation. His position was solidified in the years between 1966 and
1972, during which Pavarotti first appeared at Milan's La Scala, other major
European houses and, in 1968, NYC's Metropolitan Opera to great acclaim.
By the mid-1970s, the tenor became known worldwide, famed for the brilliance and
beauty of his tone, especially into the upper register. His "high C" became
one of his trademarks. The late 1970s and 1980s saw Pavarotti making significant
appearances in the world's opera houses and establishing himself as one of the
great singers of the era.
Popular stardom came at the 1990 World Cup in Italy with the performances of
Nessun Dorma,sample (help·info) from Turandot and as one of The Three Tenors in
their famed first concert held on the eve of the final match of the tournament (repeated
at later Cups). Pavarotti sang together with fellow star tenors Plácido Domingo
and José Carreras and brought to the much wider audience hits previously
confined to the opera world. Appearances in advertisements and with pop icons in
concerts around the world furthered his influence. Pavarotti always maintained
his identity as an opera star, unlike many crossover artists.
The later years brought a decline in ability to perform on stage due to a weight
gain and lack of mobility. Pavarotti's final appearance in an opera was at the
Met in March 2004. The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy saw him performing
for the last time. Pavarotti sang Nessun dorma, with the crowd as its Chorus,
and got a thunderous standing ovation. On September 6, 2007, he died at home in
Modena from pancreatic cancer.