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The Pavarotti phenomenon

Luciana Pavarotti was possibly the most popular opera singer in the postwar years. With his brilliant tenor voice and famous smile, he took that popularity from opera to the big arena. Here's Pavarotti and Friends with 'We are the World' in 1999. And he became the first classical artist to top pop music charts with his recordings.

Did you see the film Pavarotti when it screened here? And like the reviewer in NPR, were you frustrated by its lack of depth? (But at least enjoyed the footage of his 1991 concert in the rain in Hyde Park.)

Want to know more about the man? Just Google - e.g. here.

Pavarotti had a net worth of $275 million dollars at the time of his death in 2007, but was losing the adoration of the opera world. A summary of his life is here. And here is his last public performance - singing Nessun Dorma at the 2006 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Turin.


Hunting high class festive music, did you find Pavarotti's Adeste Fidelis from Notre Dame, Montreal in 1978?


Over New Year, the Met is giving us a Pavarotti Week. It's also provided videos and essays about the man and his music.


Tuesday, December 29 Puccini’s La Bohème Starring Renata Scotto, Maralin Niska, Luciano Pavarotti, Ingvar Wixell, and Paul Plishka, conducted by James Levine. From March 15, 1977.

Lots more about this opera (and Scotto) in our earlier blog post here.


Wednesday, December 30 Puccini’s Tosca Starring Shirley Verrett, Luciano Pavarotti, and Cornell MacNeil, conducted by James Conlon. From December 19, 1978.


Thursday, December 31 Verdi’s Rigoletto Starring Christiane Eda-Pierre, Isola Jones, Luciano Pavarotti, Louis Quilico, and Ara Berberian, conducted by James Levine. From December 15, 1981.


Friday, January 1 Verdi’s Ernani Starring Leona Mitchell, Luciano Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes, and Ruggero Raimondi, conducted by James Levine. From December 17, 1983.


Saturday, January 2 Verdi’s Il Trovatore Starring Eva Marton, Dolora Zajick, Luciano Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes, and Jeffrey Wells, conducted by James Levine. From October 15, 1988.


Sunday, January 3 Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera Starring Aprile Millo, Harolyn Blackwell, Florence Quivar, Luciano Pavarotti, and Leo Nucci, conducted by James Levine. From January 26, 1991.


Monday, January 3 Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore Starring Kathleen Battle, Luciano Pavarotti, Juan Pons, and Enzo Dara, conducted by James Levine. From November 16, 1991.

He hit the high C's in this production, but in 1998 was less successful.

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