Luciano Pavarotti (2007) An Evening With Pavarotti - CasTaN

Luciano Pavarotti (12 October 1935 - 6 September 2007), an Italian tenor, was one of the most
famous singers, not only in the world of opera, but across all genres. He was born in Modena
to the family of a baker. After abandoning the dream to become a professional football goalkeeper,
Pavarotti spent seven years in vocal training and began his career as a tenor in 1961 in Italy. He
sang in houses in The Netherlands, Vienna, London, Ankara, Budapest and Barcelona.

The young tenor earned valuable experience and significant recognition while touring on the invitation
of soprano Joan Sutherland and during his 1965 US debut in Miami on her recommendation. His position
was solidified in the years between 1966 and 1972, during which Pavarotti first appeared at Milan's
La Scala, other major European houses and, in 1968, NYC's Metropolitan Opera to great acclaim. By the
mid-1970's, the tenor became known worldwide, famed for the brilliance and beauty of his tone, especially
into the upper register. His "high C" became one of his trademarks.

The late 1970s and 1980s saw Pavarotti making significant appearances in the world's opera houses and
establishing himself as one of the great singers of the era. Popular stardom came at the 1990 World Cup
in Italy with the performances of "Nessun Dorma" (from Turandot) and as one of The Three Tenors in their
famed first concert held on the eve of the final match of the tournament (repeated at later Cups).
Pavarotti sang together with fellow star tenors Plácido Domingo and José Carreras and brought to the much
wider audience hits previously confined to the opera world. Appearances in advertisements and with pop
icons in concerts around the world furthered his influence.

Josep Maria Carreras i Coll (born 5 December 1946, Barcelona), better known as José Carreras, is a Spanish
Catalan tenor particularly known for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini. He made his debut
on the opera stage at the age of 11 as Trujamán in Manuel de Falla's El retablo de Maese Pedro and went on
to a career that encompassed over 60 roles on the stages of the world's leading opera houses and in the
recording studio. He gained fame with a wider audience as one of The Three Tenors along with Plácido Domingo
and Luciano Pavarotti in a series of mass concerts that began in 1990 and continued until 2003. Carreras is
also known for his humanitarian work as the president of the José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation
(La Fundació Internacional Josep Carreras per a la Lluita contra la Leucèmia), which he established following
his own recovery from the disease in 1988.

José Plácido Domingo Embil KBE (born 21 January 1941), better known as Plácido Domingo, is a Spanish tenor,
known for his versatile and strong voice, possessing a ringing and dramatic tone throughout its range. He is
considered to be a talented and hard-working musician: in March 2008, he debuted in his 128th opera role,
giving Domingo more roles than any other tenor. He is also admired for his acting ability, his musicality and
musical intellect, and the number and variety of opera roles that he has mastered. In addition to his singing
roles, he has also taken on conducting opera and concert performances, as well as serving as the General Director
of the Washington National Opera in Washington, D.C. and the Los Angeles Opera in California. His contracts in
both Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. have been extended through the 2010–2011 season.

Luciano Pavarotti Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI (12 October 1935 – 6 September 2007) was an Italian operatic tenor,
who also crossed over into popular music, eventually becoming one of the most commercially successful tenors of
all time. He was one of "The Three Tenors" and became well-known for his televised concerts and media appearances.
Pavarotti was also noted for his charity work on behalf of refugees and the Red Cross, amongst others.

Pavarotti began his professional career as a tenor in 1961 in Italy. He sang in opera houses in The Netherlands,
Vienna, London, Ankara, Budapest and Barcelona. The young tenor earned valuable experience and recognition while
touring Australia at the invitation of soprano Joan Sutherland in 1965. He made his US debut in Miami soon
afterwards, also on Sutherland's recommendation. His position as a leading lyric tenor was consolidated in the
years between 1966 and 1972, during which time he first appeared at Milan's La Scala and other major European
houses. In 1968, he debuted at New York City's Metropolitan Opera as Rudolfo in Puccini's La Bohème. At the Met in
1972, in the role of Tonio in Donizetti "La Fille du Régiment" he earned the title "King of the high C's" when he
sang the aria "Ah mes amis ... pour mon âme". He gained worldwide fame for the brilliance and beauty of his tone,
especially into the upper register. He was at his best in bel canto operas, pre-Aida Verdi roles and Puccini works
such as La Bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly. The late 1970s and 1980s saw Pavarotti continue to make significant
appearances in the world's foremost opera houses.

Celebrity beyond the world of opera came to Pavarotti at the 1990 World Cup in Italy with performances of Puccini's
Nessun Dorma,Nessun Dorma Pavarotti.ogg sample (help·info) from Turandot, and as one of "The Three Tenors" in their
famed first concert held on the eve of the tournament's final match. He sang on that occasion with fellow star tenors
Plácido Domingo and José Carreras, bringing opera highlights to a wider audience. Appearances in advertisements and
with pop icons in concerts furthered his international celebrity.

His final performance in an opera was at the Metropolitan in March 2004. The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy,
saw him on stage for the last time, where Pavarotti performed Nessun dorma, with the crowd serving as the aria's chorus,
and he received a thunderous standing ovation. On Thursday 6 September 2007, he died at home in Modena from pancreatic
cancer, aged 71.

He made numerous recordings of complete operas and individual arias, and established himself as one of the finest tenors
of the 20th century.