Luciano Pavarotti (12 October 1935 - 6 September 2007), an Italian tenor, w… Read Full Bio ↴Luciano Pavarotti (12 October 1935 - 6 September 2007), an Italian tenor, was one of the most famous singers of the past century, not only in the world of opera and classical music, but across all genres. He was born in Modena to the family of a baker. After abandoning the dream to become a professional football goalkeeper, Pavarotti spent seven years in vocal training and began his career as a tenor in 1961 in Italy. He sang in houses in the Netherlands, Vienna, London, Ankara, Budapest, and Barcelona.

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.

Bonus: Che Gelida Manina
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Che gelida manina
Se la lasci riscaldar
Cercar che giova?
Al buio non si trova

Ma per fortuna
È una notte di luna
E qui la luna

L'abbiamo vicina

Aspetti, signorina
Le dirò con due parole
Chi son, chi son e che faccio
Come vivo, vuole?
Chi son?

Chi son?
Sono un poeta
Che cosa faccio? Scrivo
E come vivo? Vivo

In povertà mia lieta
Scialo da gran signore
Rime ed inni d'amore
Per sogni e per chimere
E per castelli in aria
L'anima ho milionaria

Talor dal mio forziere
Ruban tutti i gioielli
Due ladri, gli occhi belli
V'entrar con voi pur ora
Ed i miei sogni usati
E i bei sogni miei
Tosto si dileguar
Ma il furto non m'accora
Poiché, poiché v'ha preso stanza
La dolce speranza

Or che mi conoscete
Parlate voi, deh, parlate

Chi siete?
Vi piaccia dir

Overall Meaning

"Che gelida manina" is an aria from the opera "La Bohème" by Giacomo Puccini. In this song, the character Rodolfo expresses his emotions and introduces himself to a woman he is attracted to, Mimì. The lyrics delve into his feelings, aspirations, and his way of life.

In the opening lines, Rodolfo acknowledges the coldness of Mimì's hand and suggests that she should let him warm it up. He then ponders the futility of searching for something in the dark, implying that a connection between them is more valuable than searching for something else.

However, he quickly finds solace in the fact that it is a moonlit night, symbolizing hope and romance. The presence of the moon brings him comfort and serves as a metaphorical source of light amidst the darkness around them.

Rodolfo then addresses Mimì directly, using polite terms, and offers to tell her who he is and what he does in just a few words. He identifies himself as a poet and emphasizes his passion for writing. Despite living a life of poverty, he still indulges in the pleasures of a wealthy man, splurging on arts and love poems. His mind is filled with dreams, fantasies, and castles in the air, indicating his rich and imaginative soul.

He admits that sometimes his dreams and beautiful thoughts are stolen away, referencing the presence of two thieves with beautiful eyes who have just entered. This could allude to the distractions or interruptions that come along with relationships and encounters. However, Rodolfo expresses that he is not saddened by this theft, as his hope and optimism have taken up residence instead. The theft of material possessions does not affect him, as he finds solace in the presence of sweet hope.

In the latter part of the song, Rodolfo addresses Mimì again, urging her to speak and introduce herself. He expresses his curiosity about her identity and wishes to know who she is. This indicates his desire to create a connection and engage in a meaningful conversation with her, demonstrating his genuine interest and potential for a deeper relationship.

Overall, "Che gelida manina" showcases Rodolfo's romantic nature, his artistic inclinations, and his longing for connection and love. The lyrics paint a picture of a passionate and dreamy poet who finds comfort in the beauty of the moon and the optimistic hope that resides within him.

Line by Line Meaning

Che gelida manina
What a cold little hand

Se la lasci riscaldar
If you let it warm up

Cercar che giova?
What's the point of searching?

Al buio non si trova
In the dark, nothing can be found

Ma per fortuna
But luckily

È una notte di luna
It's a moonlit night

E qui la luna
And here we have the moon

L'abbiamo vicina
We have it close by

Aspetti, signorina
Wait, miss

Le dirò con due parole
I will tell you in a few words

Chi son, chi son e che faccio
Who I am, what I do