Born:
October 12, 1935
Birthplace:
Modena, Italy
Died:
September 6, 2007 at his residence in Italy due to pancreatic cancer.
Also Known As:
Earned the title “King of the High Cs;” he was one of the greatest operatic tenors of our time. He was one of The Three Tenors, including Plácido Domingo and José Carreras. He established Pavarotti and Friends charity concerts as part of his humanitarian efforts. As a humanitarian, he worked alongside famous personalities such as Bono and Princess Diana.
Type of Songs:
Opera, but his charisma and boyish charm endeared him to many and helped bring classical music to a wider audience. He performed onstage with various artists including rock and pop singers. He made several recordings under London Records.
Influence:
His father; who was an amateur singer, was a huge influence on Pavarotti. He had several recordings of operatic tenors which the young Pavarotti listened to; including his favorite Giuseppe Di Stefano. When he was 9, he began singing in a church choir with his father. His vocal teachers include Arrigo Pola and Ettore Campogalliani.
Notable Performances:
- 1961 - Won the Teatro Reggio Emilia international competition.
- April 29, 1961 - Operatic debut as Rodolfo in Puccini's La Bohème.
- 1963 - Marked the beginning of his international career playing the role of Edgardo in Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor.” Also performed at Covent Garden on the production of “La Bohème.”
- 1964 - Played the role of Idamante in Mozart’s “Idomeneo."
- 1965 - Joined the Sutherland-Williamson company performing alongside the soprano Joan Sutherland.
- 1967 -First performance at La Scala in Milan.
Other Performances:
- 1968 - Performance at the Metropolitan Opera performing with his friend Mirella Freni.
- 1972 - Pavarotti and the soprano Joan Sutherland performed at Covent Garden (London) and the Metropolitan Opera (New York).
- 1982 - Appeared in the film "Yes, Giorgio."
- February 2006 - At Turin, Italy, he opened the Winter Olympics performing “Nessun Dorma.”
- 2004 - Went on a worldwide farewell tour but was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on July 2006.
Interesting Facts:
When he was young Pavarotti wanted to become a soccer star. He was a school teacher before he decided to dedicate his life to singing. In his own words "I think a life in music is beautifully spent and this is what I have devoted my life to." Pavarotti was married twice; first to Adua Veroni with whom he has 3 daughters and second to Nicoletta Mantovani with whom he has one daughter.
Music Sample:
Watch Luciano Pavarotti perform "Nessun Dorma."
