He soon gained fame due to the power and strength of his voice. The young tenor earned valuable experience and significant recognition while touring on the invitation of soprano Joan Sutherland, making his 1965 U.S. debut in Miami, Florida on her recommendation. His position was solidified in the years between 1966 and 1972, during which Pavarotti first appeared at Milan's seminal La Scala, at other major European houses, and, in 1968, at NYC's Metropolitan Opera. He received great acclaim, particularly working well with Joan Sutherland.
By the mid-70s, the tenor became known worldwide, famed for the brilliance and beauty of his tone, especially into the upper register. His "high C" became one of his trademarks. The late 70s and 80s saw Pavarotti making significant appearances in the world's opera houses and establishing himself as one of the great singers of the era.
Popular stardom came at the 1990 World Cup in Italy with the performances of "Nessun Dorma" (from Turandot) and as one of The Three Tenors in their famed first concert held on the eve of the final match of the tournament (repeated at later Cups). Pavarotti sang together with fellow star tenors Plácido Domingo and José Carreras and brought to the much wider audience hits previously confined to the opera world. Appearances in advertisements and with pop icons in concerts around the world furthered his influence. Pavarotti always maintained his identity as an opera star, unlike many crossover artists.
The later years brought a decline in ability to perform on stage due to a weight gain and lack of mobility. Pavarotti's final appearance in an opera was at the Met in March 2004. The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy saw him performing for the last time. Pavarotti sang Nessun Dorma, with the crowd as its Chorus, and got a thunderous standing ovation. On September 6, 2007, he died at home in Modena from pancreatic cancer.
Ah si ben mio
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mia consorte
avrò più l'alma intrepida
il braccio avrò più forte.
Ma pur, se nella pagina
dei miei destini è scritto
ch'io resti fra le vittime
ch'io resti fra le vittime
dal ferro ostil trafitto
Fra quegli estremi aneliti
a te il pensier verrà, verrà
e solo in ciel precederti
la morte a me parrà!
Fra quegli estremi aneliti
la morte a me parrà, parrà.
E solo in ciel precederti
la morte a me parrà!
la morte a me, a me parrà
e solo in ciel
e solo in ciel precederti
la morte a me parrà,
la morte a me parrà!
The lyrics of Luciano Pavarotti's song "Ah si ben mio" express the joy and strength that the singer feels in being with his beloved. He declares that he will have a fearless soul and a stronger arm as her companion. However, he also acknowledges the possibility of his destiny being one of the victims of an opposing attack, pierced by an enemy's sword. But even in those extreme moments of agony, he would think of his love, and the only consolation he would have would be the thought of being reunited with her in heaven.
The song speaks about the profound and intense emotions that love can evoke, ones that can make a person brave and resilient even in the face of death. The lyrics also suggest the possibility of a spiritual realm where the lovers would reunite after death. The music of "Ah si ben mio" adds to the emotionality of the lyrics, with its soaring melodies and dramatic crescendos. The combination of the powerful lyrics and the beautiful music creates a moving experience for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah sì, ben mio, coll'essere io tuo
Oh yes, my beloved, by being yours, my soul will be more courageous and my arm stronger.
mia consorte
My spouse.
avrò più l'alma intrepida
I will have a more intrepid soul.
il braccio avrò più forte.
My arm will be stronger.
Ma pur, se nella pagina
But even if on the page
dei miei destini è scritto
Of my destiny it is written
ch'io resti fra le vittime
That I remain among the victims
dal ferro ostil trafitto
Pierced by hostile iron
Fra quegli estremi aneliti
Among those extreme breaths
a te il pensier verrà, verrà
Thoughts of you will come to me, come to me
e solo in ciel precederti
And only in heaven to go before you
la morte a me parrà!
Death will seem to me!
la morte a me, a me parrà
Death will seem to me, to me
e solo in ciel
And only in heaven
precederti
To go before you
la morte a me parrà,
Death will seem to me,
la morte a me parrà!
Death will seem to me!
Contributed by Jayden C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@orthodoxdome2336
Ah! sì, ben mio, coll'essere
Io tuo, tu mia consorte,
Avrò più l'alma intrepida,
Il braccio avrò più forte;
Ma pur se nella pagina
De' miei destini è scritto
Ch'io resti fra le vittime
Dal ferro ostil trafitto,
Fra quegli estremi aneliti
A te il pensier verrà
E solo in ciel precederti
La morte a me parrà!
@LuisAlbertoAlonsoRomero
Manrico (tenor)
Di quella pira l'orrendo foco
Tutte le fibre m'arse avvampò!...
Empi spegnetela, o ch'io tra poco
Col sangue vostro la spegnerò...
Era già figlio prima d'amarti
Non può frenarmi il tuo martir.
Madre infelice, corro a salvarti,
O teco almeno corro a morir!
Leonora (soprano):
Non reggo a colpi tanto funesti...
Oh quanto meglio sarìa morir!
Ruiz (tenor), Chorus of soldiers:
All'armi, all'armi! eccone presti
A pugnar teco, teco a morir.
@CesarGonzalez-xt6el
Ah sì, ben mio; coll'essere io tuo,
tu mia consorte,
avrò più l'alma intrepida,
il braccio avrò più forte.
Ma pur, se nella pagina
de' miei destini è scritto
ch'io resti fra le vittime,
dal ferro ostil trafitto,
ch'io resti fra le vittime,
dal ferro ostil trafitto,
fra quegli estremi aneliti
a te il pensier verrà, verrà
e solo in ciel precederti
la morte a me parrà!
Fra quegli estremi aneliti
la morte a me parrà, parrà.
E solo in ciel precederti
la morte a me parrà!
la morte a me, a me parrà
e solo in ciel
e solo in ciel precederti
la morte a me parrà,
la morte a me parrà!
@dianamarianocosta115
Sei que há muitos tenores incríveis, perfeitos, mas Pavarotti é descomunal, incomparável!
@evelyngrech7677
There will never be like Pavarotti, he had everything, exceptional breath, technique and a big big voice!
@j.erickson8571
For me, he is the greatest opera singer that ever lived. I know Carusso is from another planet, but I just love Pavarotti. Be well in heaven master.
@ilecier
Caruso from another planet? I wish Caruso, Pavarotti, Corelli, Lauri-Volpi could stand together on a stage. A quick debunk of the Caruso myth......
@TL48
Oh Yes !!! The Voice of God !!! The great Luciano !!!
@Xerxes89
@ilecier youre funny. Next to Caruso they would all seem average. He had a beautiful voice though but no Caruso.
@ilecier
@RandomTenorDude Please don't forget to emphasize next time that this is your personal opinion. Nothing to do with other people's opinion.
@Xerxes89
@ilecier you just said something about debunking "the caruso myth" without adding its your personal opinion. I think im OK.
@KirilG1
One of the greatest performances I've seen in my life!
@markusstraub4709
Aber leider nicht in der Originaltonart - nämlich in C-dur... Vergleiche einen Live-Mitschniitt mit Gregory Kunde!!!!!!