Luciano Pavarotti RIP

Luciano Pavarotti has to be described as a legendary singer; probably the best-known tenor ever and one of the finest voices the world has ever known.

He lost his fight with pancreatic cancer in the early hours of this morning, aged 71.  He had suffered with health problems for many years, probably precipitated by the ongoing battle with his weight.  Sadly, pancreatic cancer is one of those that still has a very poor prognosis and he succumbed just over a year after being diagnosed with it.

Pavarotti leaves behind a huge welter of recorded material, so his voice and his artistry are preserved forever.  He will remembered for bringing opera to the masses; he shot to world fame as being the voice of Italia 90 with Nessun Dorma.  I have to confess to not being a big fan of Puccini; it’s a bit syrupy for my English tastes but the sentiment of the aria was perfect for the World Cup.  That final word “vincero” means “I will win” and it is one of opera’s all time big tunes, hummed on many a football fan’s lips these days.

He was a huge fan of football and was a life-long Juventus fan, so being the theme of the World Cup was a great delight to him.  It sounds as though he never lost touch with his own roots and background too and has been described by many in the media today as “a genuinely nice bloke”.

Along with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras (who is a leukaemia survivor) the Three Tenors entertained massive audiences and did more to bring opera into public view.  This is no bad thing, although the debate rages amongst the elitists as to whether this is appropriate or not.

My view?  I’m all for it.  Serious opera (as opposed to comedy opera) encapsules the ever-popular themes of sex and violence, but is dressed up in beautiful or arresting music.  Try it; you might just like it.

Pavarotti had a voice that was instantly recognisable and that is one of the things that makes a great singer; you have to sound different to everybody else.  I have to admit that although I could appreciate his voice and artistry, it wasn’t entirely to my taste as I prefer the sound of the more refined English tenor (John Mark Ainsley, Sir Anthony Rolfe-Johnson and Philip Langridge are but a few).  This is just a personal thing; some voices touch the heart and others don’t have quite the same effect.

It’s sad that he is gone from us; he bought music and joy to millions of people.

RIP Luciano.