Opera / Performers / Operatic Tenor
Pavarotti trained to
become a teacher but at 20, he traveled with his Modena
chorus group to an international music competition in Wales. They won
first place. Pavarotti began to dedicate himself to singing and studied with
Arrigo Pola and Ettore Campogalliani. After his studies, he made his debut at
the Teatro Municipale in Reggio Emilia as Rodolfo in Puccini's La Bohème.
Italian Opera
Singer, a Tenor Divo of the Late 20th Century
Luciano Pavarotti, the world's
most celebrated tenor of all time passes away today. This is a tribute to his life, his voice and his performances that endeared him to millions worldwide.
Acclaimed opera singer, great
artist, extraordinary voice
By Tel Asiado, Sept 7, 2007
Legendary Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti, takes a final bow yesterday in his home in Modena, Italy.
At 71, he died of pancreatic cancer.
The son of a baker,
Pavarotti was born Oct. 12, 1935, in Modena. Pavarotti showed more interest in soccer, but fond of listening to his father's
recordings of tenor greats like Beniamino Gigli and Giuseppe Di Stefano, his favorite. In his teens, Pavarotti joined his amateur singer tenor father in the church choir and local opera chorus. He was also influenced by the American
actor-singer Mario Lanza.
Luciano Pavarotti sings "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot (The Three Tenors Original Concert.)
Pavarotti followed
with a series of successes in small opera houses throughout Europe.
He sang in Amsterdam and repeated his success in
the role of Rodolfo at Covent Garden as a
last-minute substitute for Giuseppe Di Stefano. He sang Idamante in Mozart's Idomeneo at Glyndebourne. Impressing conductor Richard Bonynge,
Pavarotti got the role opposite Dame Joan Sutherland (Bonynge's wife), in a Miami production of
Donizetti's Lucia di Lamermoor. He was
signed a 14-week tour of Australia
in 1965 with Sutherland's company, singing opposite her in Lucia di Lammermoor, which they later recorded together.