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.
In un palco della Scala
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
nel gennaio del novantatrespettacolo di gala,
signore in decolletee,
discese da un romantico coupee.
Quanta e quanta gente nella sala,
c'e tutta Milano in gran soireeper ascoltar Tamagno,
la Bellincioni,
in un vecchio palco della Scala.
Che splendida stagion,
che ricco cartellon,
che elenco di tenori e di soprani Manon di Massenet,
la Carmen di Bizet,
Fra Diavolo l'Ernani,
i Puritani,
i Vespri siciliani.
Poi dal vecchio Palco dela Scala,
c'e' l'appuntamento nel buffet,
un sorso di marsala,due tre marron glaces,
e all'uscita la fioraia della Scalaoffre un mazzolino di pensee.
In un vecchio palco della Scalanel gennaio del cinquantatrespettacolo di gala signore in decollete,
discese da un moderno cabriolet.
Quanta e quanta gente nella sala,
c'e' tutta Milano in gran soireeper ascoltar gli autori audaci e innovatori....ma torna sempre al palco della Scala.
Ma fra le novita',
ancora vola e va,
la musica dei tempi piu' lontani....
Manon di Masenet,
la Carmen di Bizet,
Fra Diavolo l'Ernani,
i Puritani,
i Vespri Siciliani...
Lentamente poi il sipario cala,
scendono le luci nel foyer...
E' vuota gia' la sala e non rimane che...
questo vecchio palco della vecchia Scala,
del gennaio del novantatre.
The song "In un palco della Scala" by Luciano Pavarotti pays tribute to the iconic opera house of Milan, La Scala. The lyrics describe a night at this historic venue in two different eras, in January of 1893 and 1953. The first stanza depicts a woman in a decolletee dress descending from a romantic coupee to attend a gala performance with notable opera singers such as Tamagno, Bellincioni, and Stagno. The second stanza describes a modern cabriolet dropping off a woman in decolletee at a gala with daring and innovative composers. The lyrics emphasize the grandeur of the performances and the tradition of the iconic venue, which has remained a staple in Milan for centuries.
Line by Line Meaning
In un vecchio palco della Scala,
In an old box of La Scala,
nel gennaio del novantatré spettacolo di gala,
in the January of ninety-three, a performance of celebration,
signore in decolletée,
ladies in low-cut dresses,
discese da un romantico coupé.
descended from a romantic coupe.
Quanta e quanta gente nella sala,
So many, many people in the hall,
c'e tutta Milano in gran soiree
all of Milan is gathered there for the grand soirée
per ascoltar Tamagno,
to listen to Tamagno,
la Bellincioni,
Bellincioni,
Stagno,
Stagno,
in un vecchio palco della Scala.
in an old box of La Scala.
Che splendida stagion,
What a splendid season,
che ricco cartellon,
what a rich billboard,
che elenco di tenori e di soprani
what a list of tenors and sopranos
Manon di Massenet,
Manon by Massenet,
la Carmen di Bizet,
Carmen by Bizet,
Fra Diavolo l'Ernani,
Fra Diavolo, Ernani,
i Puritani,
the Puritans,
i Vespri siciliani.
the Sicilian Vespers.
Poi dal vecchio Palco dela Scala,
Then from the old box of La Scala,
c'e' l'appuntamento nel buffet,
there's an appointment at the buffet,
un sorso di marsala,
a sip of marsala,
due tre marron glaces,
two or three marron glacés,
e all'uscita la fioraia della Scala
and at the exit, the florist of La Scala
offre un mazzolino di pensee.
offers a bouquet of pansies.
In un vecchio palco della Scala
In an old box of La Scala
nel gennaio del cinquantatré
in January of fifty-three
spettacolo di gala
performance of celebration
signore in decolleté,
ladies in low-cut dresses,
discese da un moderno cabriolet.
descended from a modern cabriolet.
Quanta e quanta gente nella sala,
So many, many people in the hall,
c'e' tutta Milano in gran soireé
all of Milan is gathered there for the grand soirée
per ascoltar gli autori audaci e innovatori....
to listen to daring and innovative authors...
ma torna sempre al palco della Scala.
but always returns to the box of La Scala.
Ma fra le novità, ancora vola e va,
But among the news, still flying and going,
la musica dei tempi piu' lontani....
music from the distant times...
Manon di Masenet,
Manon by Massenet,
la Carmen di Bizet,
Carmen by Bizet,
Fra Diavolo l'Ernani,
Fra Diavolo, Ernani,
i Puritani,
the Puritans,
i Vespri Siciliani...
the Sicilian Vespers...
Lentamente poi il sipario cala,
Slowly, then, the curtain falls,
scendono le luci nel foyer...
the lights go down in the foyer...
E' vuota gia' la sala e non rimane che...
The room is empty already, and there remains only...
questo vecchio palco della vecchia Scala,
this old box of the old La Scala,
del gennaio del novantatre.
of January of ninety-three.
Contributed by Alyssa P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.