Luciano Pavarotti has died.

Dartzap · Post by **Dartzap** » 2007-09-06 03:07am

Opera legend Pavarotti dies at 71
Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti has died at his home in the northern city of Modena, his manager has announced.

The singer, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, was 71.

His charismatic performances - particularly alongside fellow tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras - helped bring a new audience to opera.

Pavarotti had cancer surgery in July 2006 in New York, five months after his last performance. He had not made any public appearances since then.

He underwent five bouts of chemotherapy in the past year, and was admitted to hospital with a fever on 8 August. He was released two weeks later following diagnostic tests.

Fellow tenor Domingo said he had "always admired the God-given glory" of Pavarotti's voice.

Although his wife had told papers he was fighting like a lion, it had been feared that he had gone home to die among his friends and family, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome.

Manager Terri Robson said in a statement that the tenor died at 0500 local time (0400 BST) on Thursday.

"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life," she said.

"In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness."

Pavarotti enjoyed 40 years on the world stage and became one of the world's biggest-selling artists.

He brought a new audience to opera, particularly with his signature tune Nessun Dorma, from Puccini's Turandot, which became associated with the 1990 football World Cup.

His performances with Domingo and Jose Carerras at this time - in the Three Tenors concerts - were seen around the world.

"We've reached 1.5 billion people with opera," Pavarotti told critics of the shows.

"If you want to use the word commercial, or something more derogatory, we don't care. Use whatever you want."

In a statement from Los Angeles, Domingo said he had fond memories of the Three Tenors shows.

"We had trouble remembering we were giving a concert before a paying audience, because we had so much fun between ourselves," he said.

Nessun Dorma was part of Pavarotti's final performance, at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Turin in February 2006.

London's Royal Opera House - where the tenor last performed in Tosca in January 2002 - called Pavarotti "one of the finest singers of our time".

"He was one of those rare artists who affected the lives of people across the globe in all walks of life," it said.

"Through his countless broadcasts, recordings and concerts he introduced the extraordinary power of opera to people who perhaps would never have encountered opera and classical singing, in doing so he enriched their lives. That will be his legacy."

RIP.

PeZook · Post by **PeZook** » 2007-09-06 03:27am

I sometimes wonder how was it that he was famous enough so that even people with no interest in the opera at all could recognize the name.

Anyway, he lived a long and full life, and has managed to make a name for himself that will be remembered. There's little more a man can do in life.

While not a particular hero of mine in any sense of the word, he was a good enough human being. He managed to resist the calling of the beast which resides in every human and do more good than bad during his lifetime.

May he rest in peace, just like thousands of other good people.

Fire Fly · Post by **Fire Fly** » 2007-09-06 04:11am

PeZook wrote:I sometimes wonder how was it that he was famous enough so that even people with no interest in the opera at all could recognize the name.

The Three Tenors concerts introduced much of the general public everywhere to opera and it was probably this that cemented Pavoratti's fame. Anyways, the opera world won't know another singer who was as big in personality and gravitas as Pavoratti for a long time to come.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2007-09-06 05:21am

Chris OFarrell · Post by **Chris OFarrell** » 2007-09-06 05:59am

I had a chance once to hear him sing his famous piece, Nessun Dorma, when he was doing a practice warm up.

I swear to God I thought I was going to be blasted through the back of the Opera house, the shear FORCE of that man, he was amazing.

He's one of those singers who only come along once a century.

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2007-09-06 06:25am

I will always regret that I never had the chance to hear him sing. All I can do now is hope that he went painlessly.

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » 2007-09-06 09:07am

Damm, we've lost one of the greats...

Raesene · Post by **Raesene** » 2007-09-06 09:48am

JME2 wrote:Damm, we've lost one of the greats...

seconded...

.
.
.

Thanas · Post by **Thanas** » 2007-09-06 10:07am

A true giant of opera has died.

All we can do now is to remember that due to the miracles of modern recording, his voice will not be lost forever like so many great singers of the past.

Big Orange · Post by **Big Orange** » 2007-09-06 10:34am

Crap and I read in the Metro today that he was seriously ill, so I'm not surprised that he has pass away a day later. And while 71 is a ripe age for a man, by today's standards 71 is pretty disappointing...

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2007-09-06 10:37am

He wasn't just an exceptionally gifted singer who brought art to the masses, he also used his talents to raise money for those in need. His benefit concerts raised millions for victims of war and natural disasters.

May he rest in peace.

Ubiquitous · Post by **Ubiquitous** » 2007-09-06 11:15am

I usually open these 'x is dead' threads with some trepidation in case a person I have always respected throughout my life is revealed to be an arsehole by some member. I think it is safe to say in this case that my trepidation is unfounded.

RIP. May we all be thankful that you lived in an era where your voice can be saved for future generations to enjoy.

Melchior · Post by **Melchior** » 2007-09-06 11:37am

Ubiquitous wrote:I usually open these 'x is dead' threads with some trepidation in case a person I have always respected throughout my life is revealed to be an arsehole by some member. I think it is safe to say in this case that my trepidation is unfounded.

He cheated on his taxes. Sorry.

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2007-09-06 12:01pm

Melchior wrote:
Ubiquitous wrote:I usually open these 'x is dead' threads with some trepidation in case a person I have always respected throughout my life is revealed to be an arsehole by some member. I think it is safe to say in this case that my trepidation is unfounded.
He cheated on his taxes. Sorry.

Given that he paid the amount back, I don't think that reflects all that badly on him.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2007-09-06 12:09pm

Melchior wrote:
Ubiquitous wrote:I usually open these 'x is dead' threads with some trepidation in case a person I have always respected throughout my life is revealed to be an arsehole by some member. I think it is safe to say in this case that my trepidation is unfounded.
He cheated on his taxes. Sorry.

Who doesn't?

He was a powerful voice, a lovely voice, and while he may be silenced, the legend and the voice will live on in his recordings.

Requiem pace

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2007-09-06 12:14pm

Pavarotti, after settling the tax dispute wrote:"I cannot live being thought not a good person. Until 20 minutes ago, I felt like I had a knife in my stomach. But now, no more."

It's not even that he didn't pay; if I understand correctly, he claimed Monte Carlo as his residence but didn't meet the requirements of residency.

Fingolfin_Noldor · Post by **Fingolfin_Noldor** » 2007-09-06 03:57pm

It's sad I never heard him sing except on TV. His voice was beautiful and melodious.

Oni Koneko Damien · Post by **Oni Koneko Damien** » 2007-09-06 04:48pm

He was one of a kind in his talent and direction...and from what I've heard, he's done a lot of good for a lot of people.

I tip my hat to him, and hope that those who knew him personally and cared for him have ample happy memories to celebrate his existence with.

Lord Pounder · Post by **Lord Pounder** » 2007-09-06 05:48pm

I was never an opera fan, though I can appreciate it it will never be a part of my soul. Pavarotti was the icon of the opera world. He will be missed.

President Sharky · Post by **President Sharky** » 2007-09-08 02:24am

The world will not see a singer of his stature for a long time to come. It is a sad day for the world of opera to have lost one of the singers in history.

Rest in Peace.

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2007-09-08 03:48am

I love his singing. This made me cry.

TithonusSyndrome · Post by **TithonusSyndrome** » 2007-09-08 05:24am

It's like walking down the street and seeing that a building you always took for granted, one that's been there long before you were born, is gone. It's not only sad, it's eerie.

Gustav32Vasa · Post by **Gustav32Vasa** » 2007-09-08 08:33am

I regret never hearing him sing in person. Now I never will.

Rest In Peace

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2007-09-08 08:16pm

It will be a long time before there is another musician like him. He will be missed.

ray245 · Post by **ray245** » 2007-09-08 10:17pm