[abe]

Opera legend Pavarotti dies at 71


Luciano Pavarotti
Pavarotti had been diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer last year

Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti has died at his home in the northern city of Modena, his manager has announced.

The singer, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, was 71.

His charismatic performances - particularly alongside fellow tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras - helped bring a new audience to opera. Pavarotti had cancer surgery in July 2006 in New York, five months after his last performance. He had not made any public appearances since then.

He underwent five bouts of chemotherapy in the past year, and was admitted to hospital with a fever on 8 August. He was released two weeks later following diagnostic tests.

Fellow tenor Domingo said he had "always admired the God-given glory" of Pavarotti's voice.

'Long, tough battle'

Although his wife had told papers he was fighting like a lion, it had been feared that he had gone home to die among his friends and family, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome. Manager Terri Robson said in a statement that the tenor died at 0500 local time (0400 BST) on Thursday.

"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life," she said.

"In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness." Pavarotti enjoyed 40 years on the world stage and became one of the world's biggest-selling artists. He brought a new audience to opera, particularly with his signature tune Nessun Dorma, from Puccini's Turandot, which became associated with the 1990 football World Cup.

'So much fun'

His performances with Domingo and Jose Carerras at this time - in the Three Tenors concerts - were seen around the world. "We've reached 1.5 billion people with opera," Pavarotti told critics of the shows. "If you want to use the word commercial, or something more derogatory, we don't care. Use whatever you want."

In a statement from Los Angeles, Domingo said he had fond memories of the Three Tenors shows.

"We had trouble remembering we were giving a concert before a paying audience, because we had so much fun between ourselves," he said.

Nessun Dorma was part of Pavarotti's final performance, at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Turin in February 2006.

London's Royal Opera House - where the tenor last performed in Tosca in January 2002 - called Pavarotti "one of the finest singers of our time". "He was one of those rare artists who affected the lives of people across the globe in all walks of life," it said.

"Through his countless broadcasts, recordings and concerts he introduced the extraordinary power of opera to people who perhaps would never have encountered opera and classical singing, in doing so he enriched their lives. That will be his legacy."

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Opera legend Pavarotti dies at 71

YouTube - Pavarotti - Nessun Dorma

[richwig83]

I'd heard he had gone into hospital last night.


May he Rest In Peace

[The Placid Casual]

Awful news. He was a real Genius that brought so much pleasure through his music to so many people... he will be *very* sadly missed.

[Doofy]

I hate opera with a passion (it's like fingernails on a blackboard to me) but Pavarotti was a part of the landscape.

RIP.

[Sherman Homan]

Ditto Doofy. I can't stand opera, but Pavarotti is (was) a real talent and clearly made the world a better place.

[design219]

I can't say I hate opera, but I sure don't go out of my way to listen to opera music. It's a little like bluegrass music, it can be enjoyable to hear and see performers in person, but the music alone doesn't engage me.

That said, Pavarotti is the only opera singer I could name, and I'll bet most people could not name another.

[osiris]

Well, I like opera, so there.

Pavarotti sang a rendition of Ave Maria that brought me to tears... RIP big guy.

[OldManMac]

I'm not an opera fan, but his talent was undeniable, and for that he will always be recognized.

[abe]

He joined with Jose Carerras and Placido Domingo in the Three Tenors concerts and brought opera to millions who had never before considered it.

[voodoo]

One less Italian in the world.. can't say I mind.

V

[Atomic Rooster]

Reminds me of the song lyrics" Elvis the big fat pig is dead, dead, dead".

They now can be changed to "Pavarotti the big fat pig is dead, dead, dead".

[JohnM15141]

Originally Posted by voodoo 

One less Italian in the world.. can't say I mind.

V

yee sounds a bit racist me thinks

[design219]

Originally Posted by JohnM15141 

yee sounds a bit racist me thinks

Seems to also dislike Asians (from other posts).

[voodoo]

Ooo you people are quite the amateur profilers.

@design123287

I smacked your ass down in some thread or another the other day.. still smarting is it? hehe

V

[- - e r i k - -]

Not only racist, but in poor taste.

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - 

Not only racist, but in poor taste.

Well, well.. looks like the whole fanclub is here!

Since when are Italians a race?? How foolish.. although it would make things simpler if they were, I must admit.

Erik, you know full well that I wipe my ass with political correctness. Poor taste my crotch. An Italian is dead, and while that hopefully happens at least once every single day, I thought it was nice to mention how it warms my heart.

V

[- - e r i k - -]

Just when I thought you couldn't get any more bitter.

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - 

Just when I thought you couldn't get any more bitter.

Try to do at least one politically incorrect thing a day. It works wonders for the soul. Bitterness is only found in those who can't express themselves as they would like

V

[JohnM15141]

Originally Posted by voodoo 

Try to do at least one politically incorrect thing a day. It works wonders for the soul. Bitterness is only found in those who can't express themselves as they would like

V

That makes no sense at all, not to any rational thinking beings at least, are you a radical?

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by JohnM15141 

That makes no sense at all, not to any rational thinking beings at least, are you a radical?

To paraphrase Kieslowski, people lose something when they become fixated on rational thinking.

V

[design219]

Ok, so my wife has had public radio on for the last hour and it's all Pavarotti, and I have to say, it has been kind of enjoyable.

[Jawbone54]

Europeans are more racist than Americans could ever be.

On topic: RIP, big fella. Loved your voice.

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

Europeans are more racist than Americans could ever be.

That's an atypical defeatist attitude.

[RAILhead]

Man, that sucks.

[Faust]

I love Opera. He wasn't my favourite. Bless him though.

[design219]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

That's an atypical defeatist attitude.

[Monique]

I am sad for his family, losing a parent is always a hard thing.

But, for the classical music world it is not a lost. He was losing his voice and even sang off tone at the Scala. There are better tenors than him right now.

[abe]

Originally Posted by voodoo 

Ooo you people are quite the amateur profilers.

@design123287

I smacked your ass down in some thread or another the other day.. still smarting is it? hehe

V

Originally Posted by voodoo 

Well, well.. looks like the whole fanclub is here!

Since when are Italians a race?? How foolish.. although it would make things simpler if they were, I must admit.

Erik, you know full well that I wipe my ass with political correctness. Poor taste my crotch. An Italian is dead, and while that hopefully happens at least once every single day, I thought it was nice to mention how it warms my heart.

V

Originally Posted by voodoo 

To paraphrase Kieslowski, people lose something when they become fixated on rational thinking.

V

I must say I never thought this would happen. However...



Congratulations! I take it this is your first?

[abe]

Originally Posted by Monique 

I am sad for his family, losing a parent is always a hard thing.

But, for the classical music world it is not a lost. He was losing his voice and even sang off tone at the Scala. There are better tenors than him right now.

Hi, Monique!

He is celebrated for the greatness he once exhibited and for his career rather than his last sub-par performances. And, technically, EVERY tenor is better than him right now.

[Tiresias]

Originally Posted by voodoo 

One less Italian in the world.. can't say I mind.

V

What are you, 13?

[villalobos]

Originally Posted by voodoo 

One less Italian in the world.. can't say I mind.

V

Now on to Materazzi

[Ado]

Pavarotti contributed something that can never be undone.
He rejuvinated this great form of expression and inspired many people, whether it was the youth or everyday people to become more than they are.
Opera libretto's encourage self esteem and confidence and take a lifetime to master.
Its a bit like wine, matures with time.
Pavarotti was a positive for humanity, being italian im proud and also glad we could share something we have enjoyed forever with our fellow man.
The finer things in life seem to come alot from Modena (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati etc)
Nessun Dorma is a great start if you want to see a great performance by the Maestro.

Heres an example-
YouTube - Paul Potts singing Opera



BTW Ive seen alot of Spanish lately bagging Italians since Pavarotti's death and it wasnt clear to me until my Brazilian friend told me they always felt insecure about Pavarotti when he outshone Carreras and Domingo with Tarandot's Nessum Dorma.
YouTube - Pavarotti - Nessun Dorma
I think Seinfeld put it best, "whose that other guy"?