Luciano Pavarotti
1935–2007, Italian tenor.
He made his debut in Italy in 1961, in London in 1963, and in the United States in 1967. Since 1968 he has appeared regularly at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. A popular favorite, Pavarotti is noted for his brilliance and style, notably in works by Bellini, Donizetti, Puccini, and Verdi.
Luciano Pavarotti
est un ténor italien, né à Modène le 12 octobre 1935 et mort dans la même ville le 6 septembre 2007. Souvent cité comme le plus grand et le plus populaire chanteur d'opéra depuis Enrico Caruso [1],[2], il a chanté les plus grands airs de bel canto, notamment ceux de Verdi et Puccini, et a également collaboré avec des artistes venus de divers univers musicaux, comme U2, Sting, Elton John, Céline Dion, James Brown, ou encore les Spice Girls[3].
En plus de quarante ans de carrière, il a contribué à populariser la musique classique [4] au cours de nombreux concerts télévisés, particulièrement lors des séries de représentations des Trois Ténors (avec Plácido Domingo et José Carreras). Le nombre total de ses albums vendus est estimé à environ cent millions [5],[6].
Pavarotti a également usé de sa popularité pour le succès d'actions de charité, à l'occasion de concerts à l'issue desquels sont récoltés des fonds (aide aux réfugiés et à la Croix-Rouge).
Biography (English language)
Earlier life and musical training
Luciano Pavarotti was born in 1935 on the outskirts of Modena in Northern Italy, the son of Fernando Pavarotti, a baker and amateur tenor, and Adele Venturi, a cigar factory worker.
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Although he spoke fondly of his childhood, the family had little money; its four members were crowded into a two-room apartment.
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According to Pavarotti, his father had a fine tenor voice but rejected the possibility of a singing career because of nervousness. World War II forced the family out of the city in 1943. For the following year they rented a single room from a farmer in the neighbouring countryside, where the young Pavarotti developed an interest in farming.
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After abandoning the dream of becoming a professional football goalkeeper, Pavarotti spent seven years in vocal training. Pavarotti's earliest musical influences were his father's recordings, most of them featuring the popular tenors of the day - Beniamino Gigli, Giovanni Martinelli, Tito Schipa and Enrico Caruso. Pavarotti's favourite tenor and idol was Giuseppe Di Stefano.[5] He was also deeply influenced by Mario Lanza, saying, "In my teens I used to go to Mario Lanza movies and then come home and imitate him in the mirror".[6] At around the age of nine he began singing with his father in a small local church choir.
Death
Wikinews has related news:
Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti dies at age 71
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While undertaking an international "farewell tour", Pavarotti was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2006. The tenor fought back against the implications of this diagnosis, undergoing major abdominal surgery and making plans for the resumption and conclusion of his singing commitments.[19] On 6 September, 2007, however, as his manager, Terri Robson noted in an e-mail statement, "The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness".[20][21][22]
According to several reports, just before he died, the singer had received both the sacraments of Penance and Anointing of the Sick from the Roman Catholic Church.[23]
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Pavarotti's funeral was held in Modena Cathedral. Romano Prodi and Kofi Annan attended.[24] The Frecce Tricolori, the aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force, flew overhead, leaving green-white-red smoke trails. After a funeral procession through the centre of Modena, Pavarotti's coffin was taken the final ten kilometres to Montale Rangone, a village part of Castelnuovo Rangone, and interred in his parents' grave. The funeral, in its entirety, was also telecast live on CNN. The Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival Hall flew black flags in mourning.[25] Tributes were published by many opera houses, such as London's Royal Opera House.[26] The Italian football giant Juventus F.C., of which Pavarotti was a lifelong fan, was represented at the funeral and posted a farewell message on its website which said: "Ciao Luciano, black-and-white heart" referring to the team's famous stripes when they play on their home ground. A tribute concert featuring many performers trained by Pavarotti himself was held on February 14, 2008 at New York City's Avery Fisher Hall.[27]
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Surviving family
Pavarotti is survived by four daughters: three, Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana, with first wife Adua, to whom he was married for 34 years; and one, Alice, with second wife Nicoletta Mantovani. At the time of his death, he had one granddaughter.
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