The opera community, and the world of music in general, lost one of its greatest voices in the death of Luciano Pavarotti. After a year long battle with pancreatic cancer, the Italian tenor passed away at his home in Modena, Italy surrounded by his family.
Arguably, one of the greatest tenors to grace the stage, Pavarotti’s beginning was very average. His mother worked in a cigar factory and his father was a baker and singer on the side. Although also possessed of a fine voice, Fernando Pavarotti was too nervous to pursue singing as a career. Growing up, Luciano did not have dreams of becoming a professional singer either. He actually wanted to become a professional football (soccer) goalkeeper, of which he had been very talented as a youth. His mother talked him into becoming a teacher.
He had been singing with his father since the age of nine, however, and his love of music grew over time. After teaching for two years he decided to dedicate to the serious study of music. In 1954 he began studying with Arrigo Pola and discovered he had perfect pitch (the ability to hit or identify a note without any outside reference such as a piano). Pavarotti continued teaching part-time, then became an insurance salesman to support himself as he attempted to build his career.
Ironically he did not begin to achieve success until he had actually given up on singing. After several years of only playing in small theatres with no pay, Pavarotti developed a nodule on his vocal chords. After struggling with his voice, he finally gave in and decided to turn his back on music. Luckily for us it did not stay this way. According to Pavarotti, the release of psychological pressure from this decision actually caused his vocal chords to heal – and his entire voice to come together.
Perhaps because of his humble beginnings, Pavarotti brought opera to the attention of all people, not just the upper class. As well as appearing in opera houses around the globe, he also made numerous television appearances, making him accessible to the masses. He was the only opera singer to ever appear on Saturday Night Live. Many of his performances with the Metropolitan Opera can be seen today on DVD.
Pavarotti was perhaps the epitome of how we imagine the operatic tenor to be: tall (over 6 feet), dark and Italian, larger than life. A powerhouse of tenors, he was famous for his ability to hit the high C as well as his remarkable breath control.
Along with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, The Three Tenors became an international sensation. Their album Carreras - Domingo - Pavarotti: the Three Tenors in Concert holds the Guinness World Record for best selling classical album.
In addition to performing solo, in the trio, and in theatre; Pavarotti spent his time in many charity efforts. He held annual charity concerts, “Pavarotti and Friends” in his home of Modena that raised money for several UN efforts – particularly for children of war torn countries. In 1998 the UN named him the United Nation’s Messenger of Peace. And in 2001 he received the Nansem Medal for his work on behalf of refugees worldwide. He also set up The Pavarotti International Voice Competition for young singers to encourage the art of opera among the next generation.
His last performance defines the image we hold in our hearts of this icon. The opening ceremonies for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy; on February 10, 2006 he sang what has come to be known as his signature song “Nessum Dorma” from Turandot. Instead of a professional choir, the entire audience was his chorus. The ovation seemed to go on forever, as this son of Italy ended the opening ceremonies.
It was a fitting finale for the tenor; to be hailed in his home country, by people from around the world. He will be missed and forever remembered.
October 12, 1935 – September 6, 2007
