Admittedly, I am not a fan of opera, but I have always appreciated the talent of Lucaino Pavorotti, who died today at the age of 71:
(CNN) — Famed opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who appeared on stage with singers as varied as opera star Dame Joan Sutherland, U2’s Bono and Liza Minnelli, died Thursday after suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Pavarotti, who was 71, died at his home in Modena, Italy.
The portly singer retired from staged opera in 2004, but was on a “farewell tour” of concerts when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006 and underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor.
Although the remaining concerts of his tour were canceled, his management said that he hoped to resume the tour in 2007.
But in early August, Pavarotti was hospitalized in Modena with a fever and released 17 days later after undergoing diagnostic tests.
Pavarotti is survived by his wife, Nicoletta Mantovani, and a daughter, Alice, along with three grown daughters by his first wife, Adua Veroni, whom he divorced in 2000, and a granddaughter.
Much as the star power of Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov revived widespread interest in classical ballet in the 1970s and 1980s, Pavarotti’s beaming charisma and bravura style captured the attention of the late-20th-century audience for opera.
Widely considered the greatest tenor of his time, Pavarotti began his life modestly in Modena, the son of Fernando, a baker and amateur singer, and Adele, who worked at the local tobacco factory.
“I dreamed to become a singer when I was four and I hear my father singing in the church with a beautiful tenor voice,” he told CNN in a 1991 interview. “And I say to myself, well, let’s try to do something.”
And try something he very well did, and succeeded even more so.
Here he is singing one of my favorite operatic/religious songs, Ave Maria:
And then, there’s this, operatic appreciation of American Standards….and, the American standard named Francis Albert Sinatra (who happened to be a big opera fan, by the way)
Another great voice silenced, but always remembered.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
He was so treasured - a great gift in our time - a beautiful voice - may he be at peace!!!!
September 7th, 2007 at 1:09 am
he will be so missed. I feel blessed to have been a witness to his treasure that he will leave our world.
September 7th, 2007 at 1:42 am
My heart is heavy.
The Maestro will live on in our hearts - thank you Lord for sharing him with the world
September 12th, 2007 at 2:04 am
I have felt the kind of loss that is shared by the world. This happens every so often, as with Sister Teresa, as with Lady Diana…people who touch the world with their kind of beauty and ultimate healing of our hearts.
September 12th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
The world seems so much quieter without his powerful voice. I am grateful that he shared his gift with the world. He will be missed.
October 24th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
I love his rendition of “Nessun Dorma”!!! The last two notes (that I listen to in high volumn) accentuate the rich quality of his magnificent voice and brings tears to my eyes as I come to accept the fact that the world has lost this wonderful man and his talents!!! I understand that it was played at his funeral which must have been an emotionally unbearable experience.
But then again, I thank God for sharing him with us for so many glorious years!!!