366Art | Luciano Pavarotti

Today is the birth anniversary of Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007), one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century. His voice and charismatic personality made him an icon both within and beyond the world of classical music. The arrangement above and his portrait on the musical birthday calendar/reference work below were made by me, Frieke.

Luciano Pavarotti was born on October 12, 1935, in Modena, a city in northern Italy. He was the only son of Fernando Pavarotti, a baker, and Adele Venturi, a worker in a local tobacco factory. As a child, he preferred soccer over music. He played as a goalkeeper and showed talent. His first singing experience came in a local church choir, alongside his father, who loved opera and was himself a capable amateur tenor. When the Rossini Men’s Choir won first prize in an international singing competition in 1955, young Luciano decided to fully dedicate himself to music.

He made his professional debut in 1961 as Rodolfo in La Bohème van Puccini in Reggio Emilia. This performance caught the attention of major music houses and conductors. In 1963, he substituted the renowned tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano on short notice in a performance of La Bohème at the London Opera, launching his international career. Pavarotti earned the nickname "The King of the High C’s" for his ability to effortlessly hit high C’s (a notoriously difficult note for tenors), particularly in operas like La Fille du Régiment van Donizetti, where he sang nine high C’s in one aria.

A pivotal moment in his career came with The Three Tenors in 1990, alongside Plácido Domingo and José Carreras. This concert was watched around the world and greatly boosted the popularity of opera and classical music. Pavarotti was known for his efforts to make opera more accessible. He performed at events such as the FIFA World Cup and collaborated with pop artists like U2, Sting en Elton John.

In 1961, Pavarotti married Adua Veroni, with whom he had three daughters. In 2003, he married his second wife, Nicoletta Mantovani, and they had a daughter together. Besides his musical achievements, Pavarotti was deeply involved in charitable causes. He organized the annual Pavarotti & Friends concert in Modena, where he performed with pop and rock artists to raise funds for humanitarian causes, including children's rights and refugee aid.

Toward the end of his life, Pavarotti faced health issues. In 2006, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Although he underwent surgery, his health continued to decline. His last public performance took place in 2006 at the Winter Olympics in Turin, where he gave a triumphant rendition of Nessun Dorma.

Luciano Pavarotti passed away on September 6, 2007, in his hometown of Modena at the age of 71. His death was mourned worldwide. He was one of the greatest voices of all time, an icon who bridged the gap between classical and popular music with his passion, artistry, and charisma. Pavarotti made opera more accessible and beloved by many.