Happy Birthday Luciano Pavarotti! - A Legend in the World of Opera
Hi WA Friends
Let's celebrate the birthday of Luciano Pavarotti!
Luciano was one of the most beloved and celebrated opera singers of all time. With his powerful voice, charismatic personality, and passion for music, he captivated audiences around the world.
My Love Of Opera And Why It Beats Everything Else
It's no secret among those who really know me that Opera is my favorite musical genre! It's got everything: fabulous symphonic composition, the best singers on the planet, and incredible visuals for those attending a live performance or watching it on video!
I stole some of my best guitar licks from opera pieces! Play them on an electric guitar plugged into a Marshall stack and an effects board, and you've gotten some next-level sh#t! Lol 😎
A Little History
Pavarotti was born in Modena, Italy, in 1935. He began singing at a young age, and his talent was quickly evident. After graduating from teaching school, he decided to pursue a career in opera. He studied with some of the best vocal coaches in Italy, and in 1961, he made his professional debut in Reggio Emilia.
Pavarotti quickly rose to fame, and he soon became one of the most sought-after tenors in the world. He performed at all the major opera houses, including La Scala, Covent Garden, and the Metropolitan Opera. He sang a wide repertoire of roles, but he was especially known for his interpretations of Italian opera.
Pavarotti was not only a gifted singer, but he was also a charismatic performer. He had a natural stage presence and a warm personality that endeared him to audiences. He was also a passionate advocate for opera, and he worked tirelessly to promote the art form to a wider audience.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Pavarotti became a global superstar. He performed in sold-out concerts all over the world, and his recordings were bestsellers. He also became a household name through his appearances on television and in films.
Pavarotti was a strong supporter of humanitarian causes. He founded the Pavarotti Foundation in 1992 to help children in need around the world. He also organized a series of benefit concerts, including the Three Tenors concerts with Plácido Domingo and José Carreras.
Pavarotti retired from opera in 2006, but he continued to perform concerts until 2004. He died in 2007 at the age of 71.
Honors and Awards
- Kennedy Center Honor (2001)
- Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo (1984, 1988, 1991, 1993)
- Grammy Award for Best Classical Album (1993)
- Grammy Legend Award (1998)
- Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (France)
- Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Nastro d'Argento for Best New Actor (Italy)
- Bambi Award (Germany)
- Polar Music Prize (Sweden)
- Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts (Spain)
- BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music (UK)
- People's Choice Award for Favorite Classical Male Artist
- Kammersänger (Austria)
- Honorary degrees from numerous universities
Discography
Pavarotti recorded over 100 albums during his career. Here are some of his most popular recordings, including both studio albums and live recordings.
I recommend you listen to any one of them or as many as you can. They are all fabulous performances! However, one of my favorites is Puccini: La Fanciulla del West (1991)!
- Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera (1971)
- O Sole Mio: Favourite Neapolitan Songs (1979)
- Arias (1980)
- Verdi: Rigoletto (1980)
- Puccini: La Bohème (1981)
- Pavarotti Live from the Met (1981)
- Giuseppe Verdi: Great Moments from "La Traviata" (1981)
- Arias (1982)
- Luciano (1982)
- Yes, Giorgio (1982)
- Verdi: Aida (1982)
- Puccini: Tosca (1982)
- Pavarotti in Concert (1982)
- O Sole Mio (1983)
- Giordano: Andrea Chenier (1984)
- Verdi: La Forza del Destino (1984)
- Puccini: Manon Lescaut (1984)
- Mamma (1984)
- Puccini: Turandot (1984)
- Mama: Popular Italian Songs Popular Italian Songs (1984)
- O Holy Night [11 Tracks] (1984)
- Christmas with Pavarotti (1984)
- Verdi: Arias (1985)
- Verdi: Il Trovatore (1985)
- Puccini: Madama Butterfly (1985)
- Verdi: Don Carlo (1986)
- Puccini: Gianni Schicchi (1986)
- Verdi: Otello (1987)
- Puccini: La Rondine (1987)
- Carreras Domingo Pavarotti in Concert (1990)
- The Essential Pavarotti (1991)
- Pavarotti & Friends (1992)
- Forever Pavarotti (1998)
- Verdi: Ernani (1988)
- Puccini: Il Trittico (1988)
- Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (1989)
- Puccini: Edgar (1989)
- Verdi: Requiem (1990)
- Puccini: Le Villi (1990)
- Verdi: Falstaff (1991)
- Puccini: La Fanciulla del West (1991)
- Verdi: Nabucco (1992)
- Puccini: Turandot (1992)
- Verdi: I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata (1993)
- Puccini: La Fanciulla del West (1993)
- Verdi: Attila (1994)
- Puccini: Turandot (1994)
- Verdi: Macbeth (1995)
- Puccini: Il Tabarro (1995)
- Verdi: Luisa Miller (1996)
- Puccini: Suor Angelica (1996)
- Verdi: Jérusalem (1997)
- Puccini: Il Trittico (1997)
- Verdi: I Vespri Siciliani (1998)
- Puccini: La Rondine (1998)
- Verdi: Alzira (1999)
- Puccini: Madama Butterfly (1999)
- Verdi: I Due Foscari (2000)
- Puccini: Tosca (2000)
- Verdi: Giovanna d'Arco (2001)
- Puccini: La Bohème (2001)
- Verdi: Aroldo (2002)
- Puccini: Manon Lescaut (2002)
- Verdi: Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio (2003)
- Puccini: Gianni Schicchi (2003)
- Verdi: Il Corsaro (2004)
- Puccini: Edgar (2004)
Pavarotti also released a number of other albums, including collections of opera arias, popular songs, and religious music. He also collaborated with other artists on several albums, including the Three Tenors concerts with Plácido Domingo and José Carreras.
Modern music collaborations include Sting, Bob Geldof, Brian May, Mike Oldfield, Zucchero, Andrea Bocelli, Lionel Richie, Bryan Adams, and numerous other artists!
My Visit To Modena
I visited Modena way back in the late 1970s when I was living in Florence, Italy. The main reason was to tour the Ferrari factory in Maranello and then drive to Milan to catch an opera at La Scala.
The Ferrari factory in Maranello.
La Scala Opera House in Milan.
I toured Ferrari's assembly line and saw La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi at La Scala, which is based on La Dame Aux Camelias, a play by Alexandre Dumas, adapted from his own 1848 novel.
La Scala is considered the best opera house in the world, with the Metropolitan Opera House (the "Met") a close second!
Somewhere in my music studio, I have pictures of both these trips.
And, no, I did not get a chance to meet Pavarotti during my stay in Modena, but I inquired where he could be found and learned he was touring in Germany. I would have definitely tried to track him down to say hello and get an autograph! Lol
Well, that's about it.
Happy Birthday, Luciano! 🎂, AND ...
Keep On Rockin'!
Frank
Tell me about what you think all this in the comments.
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Recent Comments
68
Happy Birthday to Luciano. I used to enjoy Luciano singing. I also loved listening to the Three Tenors. They have been sadly missed for a long time.
I'm grateful that we still have the performances of Andrea Bocelli to listen to.
I too, am a lover of Opera and most classical music.
I've never had the privilege to see him in person, but I have The Three Tenors Concert on double vinyl. What a magnificent performance. (Luciano Pavarotti [RIP], Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo - him, I have seen and met at the Disney Opera House, where he was the director at the time, in Los Angeles, performing the lead role in Wagner's Parsifal.)
I also want to mention Andrea Bocelli, as he must be mentioned. He is great in both classical and pop music territory.
I salute them all.
Yes. Parsifal was a bit long, though. Several intermissions. It's a tough one to sit through. Best on a sofa at home. It was worth it, though—Shoke Placido Domingo's hand.
I have stood up in many opera houses and watched the Ring because I couldn't get a seat. Oh happy days. Parsifal was the first piece of classical music I remember hearing when I was about four.
That's awesome, Andy!
I adore Parsifal! There's so much incredible Opera!
I did briefly mention Andrea Bocelli in my post. 😎
Frank 🎸
Wow standing through that? I didn't even know there were standing tickets at all. I was on the balcony.
Wow, 12. I was way too immature for opera at that age. Modern Talkin and Blue System occupied me lol
He sounds like an amazing talent and a true artist. Thank you for another delightful share, Frank! 👍 🙂
Myra 💜
Myra, if you have never heard him go to YouTube right now, He single handedly popularised opera
Hi Frank! Great post…a lot of fantastic things/people have come out of Modena. Ferrari, Maserati, Lambo, balsamic vinegar and some of the best food you’ll ever eat. How did you like it there? My husband and his family were from there. Did you ever get the chance to eat at Fini? That was one of Pavarotti’s fave restaurants and I know why. The food was incredible!
Rock On!
Susan 😎🎸🤘
Hi Susan
I lived in Florence and Rome and only traveled to Modena that one time.
Unfortunately, I didn't eat at Fini.
You were born in Canada? Have you been to Modena to visit your family?
Yeah, Lambo used to make tractors and started making cars to compete with Ferrari. That's why their logo has a bull on it.
Glad you liked the post! 😎
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Hi Frank,
That's great that you were able to go there. Too bad you didn't experience Fini. It's not around anymore but Pavarotti was well known there.
No, I'm not from Canada...luckily lol. I've been over to Modena several times but there's no extended relatives left there anymore.
Imagine a Lambo tractor. The bull vs the prancing horse...quite the comparison.
Hard to believe Pavarotti's been gone so long now. It was great to read your post.
Rock On!
Susan 😎🎸🤘
Hi Susan
I love everything about Italy. I caused quite a stir after living there roughly four years and then telling my family some of their ways of doing things weren’t exactly right! Lol 😂
I rather have the bull than the kicking horse any day! Haha 😎
Frank 🤘🎸
Hi Frank
Why am I not surprised to hear that lol. 😂 I'll bet Florence was never the same.
The bull is pretty hard to disagree with! Haha. 😎
Happy Frisatsu!
Susan 🎸🤘
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Happy Bday Mr P. No pineapple on his pizza, I’m sure. Wow, you do have eclectic tastes.
Not all operatic styles are easy, for me, to listen to. I’m not fond of sopranos and prefer contralto and even better baritone. I only got into it by being dragged along by a VErY nice looking girl. Hehe.. and surprisingly enjoyed the whole event. A lot more than just singing, and having a beautiful girl whispering into your ear definitely added to the appeal.. lol.
Stevoi
Love it Steve
Love the image, Steve! Lol 😂
Frank 🎸
Her pronoun is @ them” lol…Woops I mean people not “ them” lol. Haha
Stevoi
Lol 😎