Pavarotti: Death of a Well-Travelled Tenor
Rome, Paris, New York...Luciano Pavarotti's flamboyant and stentorian voice has resonated from the stages of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, but also in more popular venues to reach a wider audience. After 40 years of dedicating himself body (and what a body!) and soul to bel-canto, the master of the high note passed away leaving behind him a gaping hole on the musical scene.
A Superlative Talent
Even if he had not been such a vivacious personality, flirting with lyrical folklore and playing with the media with his Falstaffian physique, Luciano Pavarotti has and will always have his voice. With its prodigiously resonant and rounded timbre, so rich in harmony and so delicate in diction, it is a voice that will always be instantly recognizable. A dream voice for singing the greatest love songs, he always excelled in the light romantic operas. Of course we remember him for Puccini's La Bohème in which he began his career, and in Verdi's Bal Masqué, before much later tackling weightier roles such as Verdi's Otello and others, parts in which he was triumphal. The aficionados, however, will never forgive him for not having been more daring in the way he expressed his virtuosity of phrasing and articulation in more testing works.
Opera for all
Even though Pavarotti may not have been very daring in his choice of roles, in defense of his repertoire, both man and voice brought the art of opera to a far wider audience, even if some would have preferred it otherwise. However, the king of the high note knew what to do, whether it be with Verdi or the Spice Girls. With light step, his winning smile and colossal physique, the tenor knew how to bear himself with in the most gigantic stadiums: The Three Tenors in front of the Eiffel Tower, or before a huge audience in Central Park. Celine Dion, Charles Aznavor, U2 and Florent Pagny all joined in "Pavarotti And Friends" to bring opera to the man on the street. Quite a revolution! None other would have dared this combination, after all, does not popular signify vulgar to the elite? Thank you, Luciano, from the humble man on the street!
Sarah Berthelot
Octobre 2007
By Katya PELLEGRINO
