LUCIANO PAVAROTTI--A TRIBUTE!

1935-2007

__

While I have been away from the Classical music format for some time now, nevertheless, I can't help but go back and recall at least two promotional campaigns I created in Texas for two lucky winners to attend a concert of "The Three Tenors" (Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras) at New York's Giants' Stadium. Our radio station syndicated the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts and a few of us would impersonate the animated Host Peter Alan speaking enthusiastically only to interrupt himself when a curtain call came. In 1972, at the New York Met, Luciano Pavarotti received an incredible 17 curtain calls after one performance. His signature Nessun dorma delivered last at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy ended with the epic line (translated) "At dawn, I shall win!" caused NBC Olympic commentator Brian Williams to proclaim "And the master brings the house down." This aria, by the way, is from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot". The aria, translated from Italian reads as "No one will sleep", followed by the proclamation of Princess Turandot that no one shall sleep: They shall all spend the night attempting to find out the name of the unknown prince, Calàf, who has set the challenge that if his name cannot be found out, the cold Princess Turandot will marry him. Calàf sings, indicating his certainty that their efforts to discover his name will be in vain. Nessun dorma will appeal to even the most intimidated music listener (who mistakenly believes Classical music of Opera is either boring or for the elite--not true) who will love Nessun dorma: Arias & Duets available at your favorite music store. His philanthropy and appearances with Bono, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow and Eric Clapton revealed a playful side of a personality with a sincere sense of humor. He had a beautiful career and this weekend, I just wanted to pause and remember "the King of the High C's". He left an indelible impression of a fun loving, yet full throttle man for whom "Carpe Diem" in his professional life was met. He will be forever missed.