Pavarotti is one of the most famous Italian opera singers of all time. He is probably best-known for his version of Nessun Dorma which was the song used to represent the World Cup hosted in Italy in 1990. However, there are many other interesting facts about this performer that are less well-known.
- Luciano Pavarotti was born in Modena on October 12, 1934. His mother worked in a cigar factory and his father was a baker and a talented amateur tenor.
- Pavarotti did not aspire to a career on stage as a child. Instead, he was interested in either farming or football.
- His first singing success was in Wales rather than Italy. In 1n1955, he performed in a male vocal group called the Corale Rossini. The group won the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.
- Between 1961 and 1963, Pavarotti performed as Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Boheme. Most of these performances were at Teatro Municipale in Reggio Emilia. However, he also performed in 1963 at the Royal Opera House as he was the understudy for Giuseppe Di Stefano.
- Luciano Pavarotti made his debut in the UK in 1965 when he performed at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in London. The opera was Donizetti’s ‘La Fille du Regiment’. This performance led to him being given the nickname, ‘The King of High C’s’.
- In 1967, Pavarotti made a breakthrough in New York with the same opera. He received a record-breaking 17 curtain calls as the audience were so excited at hearing his nine C’s in the signature area of La Fille du Regiment.
- Pavarotti has also performed in the television on many occasions. The first of these was in March 1977 for the first ‘Live from the Met’ telecast.
- He has sung with many talented stars. Some of these include Mirella Freni, Montserrat Caballe, Fiorenza Cossotto, Kiri Te Kanawa, Joan Sutherland, Piero Cappuccilli, Aprile Millo and Renato Scotto.
- In his spare time, Luciano Pavarotti mentors young singers. His aim is to help those who dream of a career in singing to succeed. He even started his own singing competition that takes place in Italy.
- Pavarotti enjoyed horse riding in his spare time and was a skilled equestrian.
- He was married twice; first to Adua Veroni from 1961 to 2002 and then to Nicoletta Mantovani from 2003 to 2007. He had five children; Riccardo, Alice, Giuliana, Cristina, and Lorenza.
- Luciano Pavarotti died on September 6, 2007, in Modena, Italy.
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