Opera star Luciano Pavarotti dies

Opera star Luciano Pavarotti dies
Manager confirms death to The Associated Press
Sept 5, 2007

ROME - Luciano Pavarotti, whose vibrant high C’s and ebullient showmanship made him one the most beloved tenors, has died, his manager told The Associated Press. He was 71.

Pavarotti had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and underwent further treatment in August 2007. His manager, Terri Robson, told the AP in an e-mail statement that Pavarotti died at his home in Modena, Italy, at 5 a.m. local time.

“The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness,” the statement said.

For serious fans, the unforced beauty and thrilling urgency of Pavarotti’s voice made him the ideal interpreter of the Italian lyric repertory, especially in the 1960s and ’70s when he first achieved stardom. For millions more, his charismatic performances of standards like “Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s “Turandot” came to represent what opera is all about.

Instantly recognizable from his charcoal black beard and tuxedo-busting girth, Pavarotti radiated an intangible magic that helped him win hearts in a way Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras — his partners in the “Three Tenors” concerts — never quite could.

Heard earlier today he was in bad shape. Kind of figured he was done, his health has been horrible lately. R.I.P. He sure could sing.

I had the pleasure of seeing him several times both here and in Italy, including the first 3 Tenors Concert in Rome during the World Cup in 1990. He was my favourite opera singer and a true Italian. He will be missed. No other opera singer could perform Tosca or sing Nessun Dorma like he could, not even Placido Domingo.

http://www.repubblica.it/2006/08/gal...175510_big.jpg

Saw his funeral on Italian State TV this morning, it was beautioful, and a flyover was done by my favourite aerial team.