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.
Anonymous: Tu scendi dalle stelle
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O Re del Cielo
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo
Tu scendi dalle stelle
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo
O Bambino mio Divino
Io ti vedo qui a tremar
O Dio Beato
Ahi, quanto ti costò
L'avermi amato!
Ahi, quanto ti costò
L'avermi amato!
A te, che sei del mondo
Il Creatore
Mancano panni e fuoco
O mio Signore!
Mancano panni e fuoco
O mio Signore!
Caro eletto Pargoletto
Quanto questa povertà
Più mi innamora!
Giacché ti fece amor
Povero ancora!
Giacché ti fece amor
Povero ancora!
O Bambino mio Divino
Io ti vedo qui a tremar
O Dio Beato
Ahi, quanto ti costò
L'avermi amato!
Ahi, quanto ti costò
L'avermi amato!
Tu scendi dalle stelle is a beautiful and moving Italian Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. The lyrics describe how Jesus, the King of Heaven, came down from the stars and was born in a cold and freezing cave. The chorus repeats this scene, emphasizing the humility and sacrifice of the son of God, who left his heavenly abode to be born on earth.
The second part of the song focuses on the human aspect of the story. The lyrics describe the scene of the baby Jesus, trembling and shivering in the cold, and how much it cost God to love and save humanity. The song then addresses Jesus directly, asking him to forgive our sins, and acknowledging how much the poverty and humility of his birth are an expression of his divine love.
Overall, Tu scendi dalle stelle is a powerful and touching Christmas hymn that reminds us of the true meaning of the season – the gift of God's love, and the humility and sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Tu scendi dalle stelle
You descend from the stars
O Re del Cielo
Oh King of Heaven
E vieni in una grotta
And come to a cave
Al freddo al gelo
In the cold and frost
E vieni in una grotta
And come to a cave
Al freddo al gelo
In the cold and frost
O Bambino mio Divino
Oh my divine child
Io ti vedo qui a tremar
I see you trembling here
O Dio Beato
Blessed God
Ahi, quanto ti costò
Oh, how much it cost you
L'avermi amato!
To have loved me!
Ahi, quanto ti costò
Oh, how much it cost you
L'avermi amato!
To have loved me!
A te, che sei del mondo
To you, who are of the world
Il Creatore
The Creator
Mancano panni e fuoco
There is a lack of clothing and fire
O mio Signore!
Oh my Lord!
Mancano panni e fuoco
There is a lack of clothing and fire
O mio Signore!
Oh my Lord!
Caro eletto Pargoletto
Dear and chosen child
Quanto questa povertà
How poverty like this
Più mi innamora!
More enchants me!
Giacché ti fece amor
Because love made you
Povero ancora!
Poor still!
Giacché ti fece amor
Because love made you
Povero ancora!
Poor still!
O Bambino mio Divino
Oh my divine child
Io ti vedo qui a tremar
I see you trembling here
O Dio Beato
Blessed God
Ahi, quanto ti costò
Oh, how much it cost you
L'avermi amato!
To have loved me!
Ahi, quanto ti costò
Oh, how much it cost you
L'avermi amato!
To have loved me!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Soundreef Ltd.
Written by: WOLFGANG LENK, ALFONSO (DP) LIGUORI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind