boon's log 3607.05: Remembering Pavarotti...

Luciano Pavarotti (1936-2007) is no stranger to the world of Opera. The powerful "King of High C's" has fought a long and tough battle against pancreatic cancer since his operation back in 2006. A true legend of our times. I was just reading about him being in serious condition in the Star. And just hours after that, the radio's announced that he's passed away.

Hailed as one of the greatest Tenors of his time, Pavarotti has brought Italian opera to many corners of the world, where without him, they would not have known the beauty of opera. And not only that, he has also blended traditional opera with many modern classics. Collaborating with many pop (non-opera) stars of today, where one of the most successful collaboration must have been that with Plácido Domingo and José Carreras, or better known as the The Three Tenors.

My first intro to Pavarotti, was undoubtly, "Nessun Dorma", from Turandot, which kinda stuck with him like his trademark song. If you've seen him performing Nessun Dorma, you will notice how emotional he gets, with tears rolling down his cheek, as he tells the story of Princess Turandot proclaiming that no one shall sleep and that they'll stay up attempting to find out the name of the unknown prince. The piece ends with the Prince saying that their efforts will be in vain... and that he (the prince) will win - "All'alba vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!"

Apart from the stage, Pavarotti's also well known for his humanitarian works, seen through his annual Pavarotti and Friends concerts to raise money to aid war victims, and other tragedies. A true spirited individual, Pavarotti shall be remembered always and as Wekgna puts it - "he shall always be rememebered through his music..."

... and truly, he has WIN many hearts of opera fans and he will always have a special place in our hearts.

boon out...