Farewell, Luciano Pavarotti. A beautiful voice has been silenced but his recordings will live on. He was not given film star looks but his singing was enough to bring him adulation which lasted long after he was no longer a young man. He brought opera back into popularity with his Nessun Dorma. He was just a man, but what an entertainer. My favourite film was taken in the Modena Cathedral when he sang with his father,the Panis Angelicus.

Yes Joybel, I listened to a few 'clips' over the weekend and one really does not know what they've got untill they don't have them, or it, anymore. It's proably the reason I enjoy all music as I find it so very therapeutic....we will wait a long time before we have anyone as consistantly good.

But how wonderful that there are all the recordings and videos of him singing, and so his voice will last for many, many years and generations yet to come.

I am hoping for good things from our Teddy Tahu Rhodes who has returned to classical training once more. There are many wonderful opera voices waiting for the chance to be the best. Years of sacrifice, training with best teachers, finding the money to continue and all the while hoping that today may be your moment to shine.

G'day Karibou,

Thats the beauty with these music sites whereby you can D/L what you like, burn to a CD, listen to them in another 20 years....or whenever.....most of my spare time's listening to music....beautiful.

my heart felt sad....

What I admired most about Luciano, was his willingness to embrace other musical styles as well as opera - some performers can be a bit precious about their chosen genre, but not Mr Pavarotti - my fondest memory is of him singing along with Eric Clapton, wearing a grin from ear to ear and enjoying every minute - Pavarotti was one of those rare classical musicians who appreciated that musical mastery is not limited to opera houses and concert halls. And I'm not so sure about his looks, Joybel - personally, I thought he was rather dishy.

In a cuddly way with a lovely smile which embraced everyone, Grannyracer. He was not afraid to share with pop singers either and this earned him tut tuts from the purists.

i actually enjoyed some of his 'poperata' duets,,,not ALL of them tho' as some sounded just awful

I'm rather partial to "cuddly" blokes, Joybel, so Luciano certainly spun my wheels. There's a great deal of snobbery attached to opera and indeed to classical music in general, but Pavarotti certainly wasn't one of the snobs. Those purists can tut tut all they want - it doesn't make them any better than good musos in any genre. Tell you what really irritates me - classically trained singers murdering my favourite folk songs - Dame Kiri does opera superbly, but her attempts at folk music are abysmal.

Also gran..when 5 'Divas" get up on stage and all sing together, all in their own styles, so sounding just awful. I hate that..i've only seen one lot pull it off OK.

When the going gets rough on Current Affairs turning to beautiful voices is wonderful therapy. I was in Warehouse today looking for those pieces that are supposed to fasten your furniture to the wall, but no luck.

I browsed through the DVDs and found a recital by Pavarotti performed back in 1989 in Barcelona. Of course I bought it. He would have been 54 years old then. I played it when I got home. What an angelic voice. It was just he and an accompanist in a theatre packed with his adoring fans.

He sang 23 songs at this recital with no screaming jumping drum crashing apology for music. I just sat and let his voice fill the room. Many were just short folk songs I imagine, by well known composers, but the odd aria was in there as well. No gymnastics as when the three tenors sangs. Just pure artistic heaven. All this for $6.99. Bliss.