2008 Woodie Awards
The Life and Death of an Operatic Legend
Visionary musician Luciano Pavarotti succumbs to cancer at age 71.
Kristen Brownell
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Online Exclusive
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Pavarotti was born in Modena, Italy in 1935. Although his natural gift for singing was recognized early in his childhood, Pavarotti's parents encouraged him to finish school and get a "real" job. After working as a schoolteacher for two years, Pavarotti's passion for music finally won out. He began training professionally at age 19.
After winning first prize in a singing competition in 1955, Pavarotti performed in a string of small productions including "La Boheme" and "Rigoletto". Surprisingly, his career did not take off immediately. It was not until June 2, 1965 that Pavarotti's performance in "La Fille du Regiment" earned him the title "King of the High Cs" as well as success and acclaim throughout Europe.
In 1972, Pavarotti achieved triumph in the United States at New York's Metropolitan Opera House. Performing "La Fille du Regiment" once again, he "worked the crowd into a frenzy with his effortless high Cs" and was rewarded with a record 17 curtain calls. 5 years later, he graced the cover of "Time" magazine, becoming even more well-known throughout the world.
The 1980s secured Pavarotti as one of opera's biggest stars, and Italy's FIFA World Cup in 1990 kicked off yet another decade of achievement. His rendition of "Nessun Dorma" was the theme song of the World Cup that year, and from that point on Luciano Pavarotti was a household name.
Pavarotti's status as a pop culture icon was further reiterated when he became the first opera singer to perform live on "Saturday Night Live" in 1998. He is also in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most curtain calls (165), the most successful classical album of all time ("In Concert by The Three Tenors"), and for the longest audience applause ever (1 hour and 30 minutes).
But, unfortunately, pop culture icons are human, too.
During an international "farewell" tour in 2006, Pavarotti was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After major abdominal surgery, he resumed his performance commitments and continued to fight his illness. However, 2007 brought more complications from the cancer, and Pavarotti was bed-ridden most of the year.
On September 6, Pavarotti succumbed to his illness and passed away in his home near Modena, Italy. He was 71 years old.
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