He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer and died last night surounded by family and friends.
Just thought we should have a thread as a tribute to him.
x

Yes, indeed, you beat me to it.
I was never really a fan of his, but we should pay tribute to him for all the pleasure he has given many fans over the years. May he rest in peace.

I never saw him perform live, but the first time I remember seeing him "live on stage" was the original 3 Tenors concert (1990?) which had an electrifying atmosphere. He was instrumental in bringing opera to a wider audience and that is what I will try and remember him for....

link to news story

Has to be one of the most famous opera singers ever. A sad loss to the world of music.

Absolutely, saw him in Dublin a few years ago, people say he was past his best, I thought he was amazing, one of those gigs you can't remember the walk out of the theatre because you're still in a bit of a daze! May he rest in peace.

Greatly saddened by the news

I saw some recent photos of him on line and he was a shadow of his former self. At least he left a huge musical legacy for us all to remember him by. Classic FM are devoting a substantial proportion of today's schedule in remembrance if anyone is interested.

Only just heard the news- serious loss to the world of opera.

Pancreatic Cancer is a horrible way to go, so I'm glad that he is not in pain anymore. However, he was a fantastic tenor! His voice was marvellous, and as he lived in the recording age, his recordings will live on. His legacy also includes lots of charity work, the promotion of opera for all.

May he rest in peace.

Very sad We heard it on the news this morning on the way into school. I know it's cheesy, but I love Nessun Dorma.

I have to say though that my kids were more distraught over the news (or lack of news...) about Steve Fossett - he is one of my son's heroes. He wailed "First the crocodile hunter, now this..." all the way to school

I got such a shock this morning when my friend told me about this, and I was so sad. May he rest in peace.

May he RIP. Greatly saddened by the news.

A very sad day and a great loss to the world of music. I'm not a huge fan of opera per se but Pavorotti did have a terrific voice and I'm sure his legacy of making opera more accessible to all will continue to live on.

An indescribably charismatic voice and personality. Will be very sadly missed.
May he rest in peace.

Yes, a loss to music
he was a terrific performer, and an amazing singer. Such style, intonation, phrasing... fantastic.

I heard the sad news on the BBC Ten O'Clock News last night, it was a shock as I have been too busy to read newspapers for the past few days. My Mother died of pancreatic cancer so I know how he must have suffered.

I have been listening to a very old cassette tape, dated sound now even on decent hi fi but I cried listening to my favourite, M'Appari which brings back special memories.

Addio Caro Luciano, Resquicate in Pace!

Very sad, he was the greatest.

The BBC showed "Pavarotti - The Last Tenor" after the news last night (luckily I managed to turn on the recorder in time).

St. Peter hands over the Tenor he owed god...

clicky to listen: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VATmgtmR5o4 what a voice x RIP

oh well, that was a thread killer >.<

I was so very sad to hear of his death. I never heard him performing live but have several fantastic recordings to enjoy. He had so much to offer still.

I was very sorry to hear of his death too.

Since I heard though, I have had a few notes of an aria going round in my head, and I just cannot think what it's called. IMO nobody sang it as well as Pavarotti did.

I will put the notes down, and hopefully somebody can work out what it is. (I'll start on middle C, but I don't think it starts here in the aria!).

Here goes...C, D,E,F,E,D,E,G.....D,E,F,E,D,C etc.

My apologies to Pav! xx

Thanks

I've just tried playing that on my clarinet

You're welcome to ring me and sing it down the phone if you want

Thank you sweet! Luckily for you, I have only just seen this post!

Anyway, Eureka!
It's from Verdi's Requiem and is 'Requiem e Kyrie Sequenza: Ingemisco

R.I.P, Pavarotti x

[quote name='John Willett' date='Sep 7 2007, 11:59 AM' post='586733']
Very sad, he was the greatest.

Very sad, indeed.

Hearing the Verdi Ingemisco is rather appropriate given that Pavarotti has now had his own requiem.

I love the idea that there was a recording of Luciano and his Father singing Panis Angelicus during the funeral.

Lesley Garrett described him as genrous in everything. The pomp and show of his funeral demonstrate that this generosity was reciprocated. They say you should never say ill of the dead, in Moderna over the last few days and amongst all the people he knew everyone was falling over themselves to say good things.

Its not is Nessun Dorma that I will remember its his Donizetti and his recording of Rigoletto that I will cherish the most. His Rigoletto demonstrated his consumate skill in ensembles as well as solos.

Requiem aeterna Luciano.