RIP Pavarotti
Friday, September 7th, 2007 - 3:38am
Luciano Pavarotti, October 12, 1935 – September 6, 2007
Nessun Dorma, indeed... 
EDIT: More choice Pavarotti clips for those in the mood to celebrate the man's talent:
Una Furtiva Lagrima
Ave Maria
Lucia w/Joan Sutherland
Celeste Aida
Il Gladiatore
"I'm absolutely retarded. Not 100% sure why." - atom
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Of course, the obligatory influence on heavy metal: Roots Bloody Roots with JBO featuring a Pavaroti impersonator.
MaxShrek .. Do it first, do it yourself, and keep on doing it.
Horror Vacui
He seemed like a really cool guy. Rest in peace.
Certis beat me to it. - Elysium
I'd think that this would be my big chance to step into the operatic lime light. Alas, I never really got into singing. I could grow a beard, though.
What I'm saying is that I'm jealous of his life.
Elysium: The democratization of the web ... has installed an illusion of a digital first amendment that protects speech no matter how poorly spelled or stupid.
XBL: E Munnie
elementsofmeaning.blogspot.com
You lack the requisite girth.
Fedaykin98 wrote:
wordsmythe wrote:
Time to get workin' on that, I guess! Somebody order me a deep dish pizza!
Elysium: The democratization of the web ... has installed an illusion of a digital first amendment that protects speech no matter how poorly spelled or stupid.
XBL: E Munnie
elementsofmeaning.blogspot.com
Dude had a great voice, that's for sure.
Xbox Live: CrankyBaby
baggachipz: Who cares about Japan, let them have their silly pointless dog games and countless re-hashes of anime-based dragon princess super lucky crapitty crap.
I was never into that kind of music but I respected the man's incredible talent. His impact on culture is unquestionable.
"We're taught from a young age how to dodge rock hard objects moving at incredible rates of speed while simultaneously beating folks half to death with sticks. We do this for fun." -kung fu grip
http://blog.digital-lifeline.ca
So true. Pavarotti's influence spread far beyond "high art" or what some think of as "elite" culture. Nessun Dorma reached #2 on the UK's pop charts back in the '90s, and the tune was the theme for a huge soccer tournament in Italy.
Not only that, but he sang with virtually everyone, from Barry White and James Brown through U2 all the way to the Spice Girls.
So I agree. Pavarotti's impact on culture, both "pop" and "highbrow" is unquestionable.
My suggestion is to listen to "Nessun Dorma" at least one time even if you hate opera. It's only four minutes out of your life and you might just like it.
I've never been a huge fan of Opera, though I love classical music, and probably have more of a tolerance or appreciation for Opera than the average pop-music consumer. Even so, I came to deeply appreciate Pavorotti's ability to bridge the pop-culture gap - to bring his art to millions of people who might otherwise never have listened. In hearing the Three Tenors concerts, it is plain to see what set him apart from his peers. The unique timbre of his voice, his ability to convey emotion - this man was born to sing.
I was exposed to him at an early age - my dad used to play 'O Holy Night' - as performed by Pavorotti - for Christmas. Talk about the power of the 'high C'. Wow.
Nessun Dorma, performed by him, is indeed one of the most beautiful Operatic pieces one could ever hope to hear. A great loss for the music world, but the man lived a rich, full, and amazing life. We are all blessed to have lived in his time - whether we listen to his music or not.
Nessun Dorma.
Even in 2006, with his voice and health fading...you can hear how much power he still had left.
1980, for comparison.
He was one of the greatest.
You know, any time someone says "I don't like opera", well, I have them listen to that. It's 3 minutes of straight up testosterone. With Luciano singing "vincero", the orchestra swelling behind him...is there a more iconic performance in modern classical music?