Opera Superstar Luciano Pavarotti Dies

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

ROME (Sept. 6) - Luciano Pavarotti, whose vibrant high C's and ebullient showmanship made him the most beloved and celebrated tenor since Caruso and one of the few opera singers to win crossover fame as a popular superstar, died Thursday. He was 71.

His manager, Terri Robson, told the AP in an e-mail statement that Pavarotti died at his home in Modena, Italy, at 5 a.m. (0300 GMT). Pavarotti had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and underwent further treatment in August.

"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness," the statement said

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[Dr. H Lecter]

It’s very sad. I met him a few years ago in New York City late one evening after I had attended the New York Metropolitan Opera on a night in which he had performed. He had performed “Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's Turandot. I ran into him at a small Italian restaurant near the “Met” where he too had coincidently stopped in to grab a late night meal.

I’ll never forget. It was 11:30pm. There was a small crowd and many booths were available. Yet, he plops down next to me at the bar. Its funny but he was a soccer fan and we were watching a game on a small television that was on the wall above the bar. I was impressed that such a famous tenor would be so….so normal. He had a huge and infectious laugh that rang out through the restaurant.

He’d been to the same restaurant on many occasions, my first time, so I asked him to recommend a dish. I recall it was the Linguini with Littleneck Clam Sauce. As I recall, the delicate white wine clam sauce made with chopped Italian plum tomatoes clung to the noodles perfectly. There was just the right amount of garlic and a hint of dried chili peppers. Best I’ve ever had. But enough of the food review.

Anyway, Mr. Pavarotti as you could imagine had a very healthy appetite. He wolfed down his hefty portion before I could make it to the halfway point in mine. He actually apologized for his poor manners but said that he was very tired and had to get his rest for the next evening’s performance. We exchanged e-mail addresses although he acknowledged that he was fairly “computer illiterate.” I’d kept in touch with him a couple times over the past few years.

Actually I totally made all this up. I’ve never been to an opera but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[TrueblueCATfan]

sad news indeed....

[cdrw]

... We exchanged e-mail addresses although he acknowledged that he was fairly “computer illiterate.” I’d kept in touch with him a couple times over the past few years.

Actually I totally made all this up. I’ve never been to an opera but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Excellent. You had me going until the e-mail thing.

[RP_McMurphy]

Excellent. You had me going until the e-mail thing.

Was in the process of losing 500 redneck points until he rescued himself at the end.

[Dr. H Lecter]

Was in the process of losing 500 redneck points until he rescued himself at the end.

Speaking of losing my redneck points...I had considered saying he was a big NASCAR fan and we were watching a Cup race.... but as we all know 11:30 is much too late for a night race not to mention a NYC restaurant and you all would have immediately seen through my little ruse.

I'm glad to have regained my points.

[BigBlue75]

Actually I totally made all this up. I’ve never been to an opera but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

LOL! Only you, Lecter. Gotta hand it to you, that was a good one. :thumbup:


Getting back to the subject: Pavarotti was an incredible talent and a very gifted man. I'm by no means into opera but I recognize talent and charisma, and the man had both. He'll be missed.

[UedK]

I took my Mom to see him years ago, it was a birthday gift for her. He was still pretty much in his prime and he was a powerful presence on stage. It was not a story opera he did a bunch of pieces sort of like a concert format.

He was a huge man with a huge appetite for life. He was a legend before he died and his music will be there forever.

[gerntz]

I know squat about opera, but loved the 3 tenor performances.

[RP_McMurphy]

Was so good at this..........he was entering a metrosexual stage.

[Dr. H Lecter]

Was so good at this..........he was entering a metrosexual stage.

And coincidentally it was a trendy "Metro-Sexual" or "slightly-gay" bar on the upper east side where this chance meeting didn't occur.