R.I.P. Luciano Pavarotti

[LakeAriel]

Someone will come up and wow the general audience again, wait and see.

I hope so. I love Domingo but he isn't getting younger either. I was fortunate enought to see Pavarotti at Lincoln Center about 5 years ago and it was one of the highlights of my life. What a talent. RIP..

 

[Deb in IA]

Here is a link to a video of that performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaufjDVYivc

It was great to see him at the Olympics. Nessun Dorma has always been my favorite aria.

That was to be his last public performance. He received an 11 minute-long standing ovation afterward.

For comparison, here is the same aria, Nessun Dorma, sung when he was in his prime. It is breathtaking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VATmgtmR5o4&mode=related&search=

And here is Pavarotti singing "Ave Maria".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uYrmYXsujI&mode=related&search=
I was a bit surprised at his use of the music for this performance - ok, I'll admit it, I'm a purist. I think a professional musician at his level should have his solos memorized in concert. But if you ignore that little issue, the rest is incredible.

RIP, Luciano. A big man with an even bigger voice and personality, and a huge appetite for life. My DH's voice teacher met him a long time ago, and can personally attest that he was an incurable flirt as well.

The Washington Post article is well balanced, with both his strenghts (the incredible voice) as well as his criticisms - frequent cancellations, a hint of laziness, and questionable choices in his attempts at popular music.

But there is no doubt that an amazing voice has been silenced. Arrivederci . .

 

[Serena]

Not a tenor - but Check our Angela Brown. A wonderful Soprano - from our city - taking Italy and the Met by storm. She crosses over very well. I've played in several concerts with her and she can bring in any audience, IMO.

http://www.angelambrown.com/

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070902/ENTERTAINMENT04/709020311/-1/LOCAL17

Angie's a friend of mine. I think she'll be here saturday. I had forgotten. thanks

I hadn't seen her since my last reunion and was so glad she was able to come to this one, just a few weeks ago.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Here's the Pav. singing Vesti la giubba from I Pagliacci.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky271W94VHA

 

[Mouse House Mama]

The Ave Maria and O Sole Mio were my favorite. I even taught my son to sing O Sole Mio when he was 2! I have seen The Maestro perform and it truly was breathtaking. It was like being witness to Heaven. I remember closing my eyes and thinking that if I died in that moment I would have been okay. I feel very sad over his death.

 

[shortbun]

The news took the air out of me. I had read recently how very sick he was. His voice just soared!! Gone. Sad.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I was a bit surprised at his use of the music for this performance - ok, I'll admit it, I'm a purist. I think a professional musician at his level should have his solos memorized in concert. But if you ignore that little issue, the rest is incredible.

It's not uncommon for a soloist, especially if you have not had much (or any) rehearsal time with the orchestra or conductor. The conductor might have their own notations for the soloist to follow.


His "Nessun Dorma" made me wish I was a tenor....

 

[Galahad]

Angie's a friend of mine. I think she'll be here saturday. I had forgotten. thanks

I hadn't seen her since my last reunion and was so glad she was able to come to this one, just a few weeks ago.

Very cool! The opening Gala/Concert will be great at the ISO this year. She sings somewhere around town about once a year or two - often at St. Lukes if not with the ISO or ICO.

Also, check out my son and myself on Saturday afternoon with the Carmel Symphony playing at the Penrod Arts Fair at the IMA (shameless plug!)

 

[DawnCt1]

There will never be another like him.

 

[LakeAriel]

That was to be his last public performance. He received an 11 minute-long standing ovation afterward.

For comparison, here is the same aria, Nessun Dorma, sung when he was in his prime. It is breathtaking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VATmgtmR5o4&mode=related&search=

And here is Pavarotti singing "Ave Maria".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uYrmYXsujI&mode=related&search=
I was a bit surprised at his use of the music for this performance - ok, I'll admit it, I'm a purist. I think a professional musician at his level should have his solos memorized in concert. But if you ignore that little issue, the rest is incredible.

RIP, Luciano. A big man with an even bigger voice and personality, and a huge appetite for life. My DH's voice teacher met him a long time ago, and can personally attest that he was an incurable flirt as well.

The Washington Post article is well balanced, with both his strenghts (the incredible voice) as well as his criticisms - frequent cancellations, a hint of laziness, and questionable choices in his attempts at popular music.

But there is no doubt that an amazing voice has been silenced. Arrivederci . .

OK thanks, I am sitting here sobbing..but seriously, thanks for those links..I can only say...WOW!