I was extremely saddened to hear the news last night that Pavarotti had died. Even though it was no surprise because the various news reports over the last few months had talked about his continuing battle with cancer, it still struck home to me because I have enjoyed him over the years on records, then on CD's, and even, lucky me, a couple of times in person. Very few people are fortunate enough to be born with his remarkable gift. I will acknowledge that over the years a great deal of training went into the perfection of his voice, but few are blessed to bring this kind of completely spine chilling, ethereal experience to an audience. He is also credited with bringing an appreciation of opera (admittedly, in a somewhat abbreviated and bastardized form) to a much wider audience than had ever been thought possible. There's no doubt, he will be replaced on the next "Three Tenors Tour," but the thing I always loved about Pavarotti was that even though he was obviously some kind of wonderful rascal, just like "Old Blue Eyes" he always insisted on doing it... My way!
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Whatever cloud you are on... I'm sure you will find a "Well endowed Angel" to accompany you on the harp!
Eulogy for Luciano Pavarotti
I sorrow over this great artist's death.
Listening to him throughout my life gave me the impetus to move forward in my career as a vocal coach. His life has been a great music lesson to me.
His curious combination of human depth, child-like innocence and unpretentiousness brought him to the position of being one of the greatest artists who ever lived; for, since his beginnings, he kept himself in tune with the universal chord of life-love-light that forever embraces all humanity.
Yes, he is gone. But ultimately he won the game of life; for his artistic contributions have won for him a position in the hierarchy of the universe.
Posted by: Gil Magno | September 7, 2007 7:25 PM | Permalink to Comment