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English Language : Classical Music : News : Autumn 2007 
Thursday 6 September 2007 : The famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti died at age 71 |
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Information The following are a few words about the great singer Luciano Pavarotti who died on the 6th of September, 2007. Luciano Pavarotti was born in Modena, a city in the region Emilia-Romagna of Northern Italy, on the 12th of October 1935. He was the first child and the only son of his family. His father worked as a baker and was a good amateur tenor with a great love for the opera as well. His mother worked at local tobacco factory. Luciano Pavarotti first sang in the Corale Rossi in Modena with his father. When the choir won the first prize in an international competition, he got even more enthused in singing.  His first public concert was on the 29th of April, 1961, as Rodolfo in "La Boheme" of Giacomo Puccini at the opera house in Reggio Emilia. In the following years he was being advised by tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano, who helped him prepare his voice with patience and hard work. His international debut was in 1963 when he substituted his own mentor again as Rodolfo in "La Boheme" at the Royal House of London. Year by year, his excellent performances and his effortless recordings (along with his frequent public appearances) all made him more and more famous worldwide. In one important occasion, in 1972, at "La Fille du Regiment" (by Gaetano Donizetti) at New York's Metropolitan Opera, the audience burst into delirious standing ovation. The young tenor was to be one of the more recognisable classical music artists outside strict classical music devotees. Among his most important achievements, we could refer to his performance as Rodolfo in the first live from the Metropolitan Opera telecast of "La Boheme" in 1977 which made it for one of the largest audiences ever for televised opera. A lot of other important appearances, often with other world famous artists (like that at MET, when he and Placido Domingo participated in an Opening Night Gala performance in 1993 - he also co-operated with artists outside classical music genre) made it sure his recordings are consistent best sellers. Besides, he attracted record-breaking audiences to concerts in all countries having created a huge audience of his own. The list of his successful performances is endless. Pavarotti was also helping young singers through master classes around the globe and other activities : in 1982, he initiated an international vocal competition with the final performances held in Philadelphia. In the second competition of the kind, in 1986, he took the winners to Italy for gala performances (it was also the 25th anniversary of his career). Pavarotti was also the one to find behind the annual charity concerts "Paravotti and Friends" in Modena. He used to sing with international stars of all kinds for philanthropic reasons. He sang with Bono and group "U2" to raise money for Bosnians and also helped refugees from Afghanistan and Kosovo in similar ways. In March 2004, Pavarotti had his last opera performance : he was the painter "Mario Cavaradossi" in "Tosca" (by Giacomo Puccini) at the New York Metropolitan Opera. In 2005 he had a big farewell tour. He also sang at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin of Italy. Later in 2006, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In July of 2006, he underwent surgery operation and went on fighting this very difficult situation with all resources. On the 10th of August, 2007, he entered the University Polyclinic in Modena with a high fever. He died in the morning of 6th September 2007. His funeral was performed with great honours and caused emotion worldwide. It was watched inside and outside Italy by thousands of Pavarotti's admirers who showed their sorrow and respect. Their tenor's casket has been seen by over 100,000 people in two days, displayed in Modena's main piazza. Pavarotti was buried in his family plot in a private ceremony at a cemetery near Modena.
Luciano Pavarotti in Velodrome Stadium, 15/06/02 (cropped version). Photograph taken from http://commons.wikimedia.org |
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