LUCIANO PAVAROTTI
Tenor
OCTOBER 12, 1935

‘I want to reach as many people as possible with the message of music, of marvellous opera.’ Luciano Pavarotti^[1]

‘When it comes to singing, Luciano Pavarotti had as good an explanation for being “special” as any I ever heard. He said that his vocal cords were “kissed by God.”’ Marilyn Horne^[2]

These two quotes epitomise Luciano Pavarotti the performer. The first describes, what Luciano Pavarotti’s mission statement was and remains as the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation’s own mission; and the second, the sheer wonder of a singing colleague for the man’s vocal gifts. What they do not reveal is the generosity of the human being, his tireless support of charities, worthy causes and young singers.

2025 marks the ninetieth birthday of this great human being. His legacy lives on in the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, which is based in his home just outside of Modena.^[3] The Foundation has the mission to promote young talented singers. This continues the generosity of the Maestro himself who ‘gave free singing lessons to many students he considered promising. He loved teaching, he used to say that sharing his experience and passion with young people was his way of thanking for the great gift he received, namely his voice.’^[4] Today, the Foundation carries on Maestro Pavarotti’s activity following the same path he has traced, offering opportunities and visibility to the young up-and-comers of opera, also trying to make the course of study and training accessible to all.^[5]

Cognisant of the great gift he had received in his voice, with the immense professional success and recognition achieved through his art, and these had created a public stature like no other classical singer, he spread his charitable work further and wider through the Pavarotti and Friends series of concerts beginning in 1992 until 2003. Proceeds from the events were donated to humanitarian causes including the international aid agency War Child and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.^[6] He also performed for immediate emergencies, such as benefit concerts to raise money for victims of tragedies such as an earthquake in December 1988 that killed 25,000 people in northern Armenia.^[7] All in all, Luciano was larger than life as a personality and yet a simple man concerned with the well-being of all people.

And what of bringing opera to the people? The English vocal connoisseur J.B Steane perhaps summed up Pavarotti’s achievement most poignantly, for the “(people who would never go near an opera house if they could help it), Pavarotti was the embodiment of the Italian tenor. ‘Pressed they might say, ‘Yes, you have to admit it, it did send a bit of a shiver through you when he sang that “Nessun dorma” thing at the World Cup.’ They might even, if pressed further, acknowledge that quite probably no other sound on earth could have been there and then, at that moment, so right and so thrilling. They like the look of him too: the generous size, the comfortable shape, the beard, the teeth, the feeling that there may be ‘something in it’, a feeling they have probably never entertained before.”^[8] A perfect testimony to the man’s appeal and effect.

Finally, how did Pavarotti himself feel when performing? The most moving description is given by the great American bass, Jerome Hines. Hines was singing with Pavarotti at his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1968 in Puccini’s La bohème. Pavarotti had been suffering with a throat infection but knowing it was “now or never” decided he had to sing. Hines words then: ‘Our tenor’s voice held up very well to the end of the opera and he was very simpatico on the stage, but he was not happy about his performance. When the final curtain fell and it was time for Luciano’s solo bow, he took a deep breath, mustering his courage to face that ultimate critic – the public. As he stepped in front of the curtain, he was greeted with a roar from the audience, and deservedly so. At first, he did not bow, but stood there looking dazedly at the people while slowly the overwhelming accumulation of nerves and tension manifested itself in the tears which began running down his cheeks. He remained immobile amid the storm of applause for at least half a minute – just crying. Then, after one quick, humble bow, he hurried into the wings to find us all waiting with tears in our eyes too.’^[9] The final part of the text is italicised for emphasis. Here, truly was a singer who moved others with his art, and had himself a great heart.

^[1] LUCIANO PAVAROTTI FOUNDATION.

^[2] HORNE, MARILYN., WITH SCOVELL, JANE., MARILYN HORNE THE SONG CONTINUES BASKERVILLE PUBLISHERS, FORT WORTH TEXAS (2004) P.226

^[3] LUCIANO PAVAROTT FOUNDATION

^[4] IBID. LUCIANO PAVAROTT FOUNDATION

^[5] IBID. LUCIANO PAVAROTT FOUNDATION

^[6] PAVAROTTI and FRIENDS [wikipedia entry] 

^[7] WAVE., Italian tenor Pavarotti has died at age 71, his manager tells the AP

Published: Sep. 6, 2007 at 4:47 PM GMT+2|Updated: Sep. 13, 2007 at 10:01 AM GMT+2 [NO SPECIFIC AUTHORSHIP SHOWN IN WAVE]

^[8] STEANE., J.B., SINGERS OF THE CENTURY VOLUME 2., AMADEUS PRESS PORTLAND OREGON (1998) P.143

^[9] HINES, JEROME., GREAT SINGERS ON GREAT SINGING., VICTOR GOLLANCZ, LONDON (1982) PP.213-214