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.
L'ultima canzone
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nina, vi fate sposa,
Ed io vi canto ancorla serenata!
La, nei deserti piani,
La, ne la valle ombrosa,
Oh, quante volte a voi l'ho ricantata! ecc.
"Foglia rosa,
Se ti fai sposa,
Io ti sto sempre accanto, ecc.
Foglia di rosa!"
Domani avrete intorno
Feste, sornsi e fiori,
Ne penserete ai nostri vecchi amori;
Ma sempre, notte e giorno,
Piena di passione,
Verra gemendo a voi la mia canzone, ecc.
"Foglia di menta,
O fiore di granato,
Nina, rammenta
I baci che t'ho dato! ecc.
Foglia di menta!
La, la!"
The lyrics of Luciano Pavarotti's "L'ultima Canzone", or "The Last Song" in English, tell the story of a man named Giovanni who serenades his former lover, Nina, on the night before her wedding day. He has heard that Nina is getting married the next day, and out of the lingering love he feels for her, he sings his last song to her. He reminisces about the times he has serenaded her in the past, and how deeply he has loved her.
Throughout the song, Giovanni extols Nina's beauty and the memorable moments they have shared together. He sings of his deep passion, which he will forever hold for her despite her forthcoming nuptials. He encourages her to remember the times they spent together and the love they shared.
The lyrics are filled with emotion and longing, and Pavarotti's operatic style adds to the song's dramatic effect. He imbues each note with heart-wrenching pathos, expressing the heartbreak of unrequited love that will seemingly never die. "L'ultima Canzone" is a poignant tribute to love lost, a beautiful reminder of the power of music to express emotions that words sometimes cannot.
Line by Line Meaning
M'han detto che domani
Someone told me that tomorrow
Nina, vi fate sposa,
Nina, you're getting married,
Ed io vi canto ancorla serenata!
And I will still serenade you!
La, nei deserti piani,
There, in the desert plains,
La, ne la valle ombrosa,
There, in the shady valley,
Oh, quante volte a voi l'ho ricantata! ecc.
Oh, how many times I have sung to you! etc.
Foglia rosa,
Rose petal,
O fiore d'amaranto,
Or amaranth flower,
Se ti fai sposa,
If you get married,
Io ti sto sempre accanto, ecc.
I will always be by your side, etc.
Foglia di rosa!
Petal of rose!
Domani avrete intorno
Tomorrow you will be surrounded
Feste, sornsi e fiori,
By parties, smiles and flowers,
Ne penserete ai nostri vecchi amori;
You won't think about our old loves;
Ma sempre, notte e giorno,
But always, night and day,
Piena di passione,
Filled with passion,
Verra gemendo a voi la mia canzone, ecc.
My song will come moaning to you, etc.
Foglia di menta,
Mint leaf,
O fiore di granato,
Or pomegranate flower,
Nina, rammenta
Nina, remember
I baci che t'ho dato! ecc.
The kisses I gave you! etc.
Foglia di menta!
Leaf of mint!
La, la!
La, la!
Contributed by Reagan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@operadog2000
M'han detto che domani,
Nina, vi fate sposa,
Ed io vi canto ancor la serenata!
Là, nei deserti piani,
Là, ne la valle ombrosa,
Oh quante volte a voi l'ho ricantata!
Oh quante volte a voi l'ho ricantata!
"Foglia di rosa, o fiore d'amaranto,
Se ti fai sposa,
Io ti sto sempre accanto.
Se ti fai sposa,
Io ti sto sempre accanto. "
Foglia di rosa.
Domani avrete intorno
Feste sorrisi e fiori,
Nè penserete ai nostri vecchi amori.
Ma sempre, notte e giorno,
Piena di passione,
Verrà gemendo a voi la mia canzone:
Verrà gemendo la mia canzone:
"Foglia di menta, o fiore di granato,
Nina, rammenta I baci che t'ho dato!
Nina, rammenta I baci che t'ho dato! "
Foglia di menta!
La... La... La...
@ajaxstone
M'han detto che domani,
Nina, vi fate sposa,
Ed io vi canto ancor la serenata!
Là, nei deserti piani,
Là, ne la valle ombrosa,
Oh quante volte a voi l'ho ricantata!
Oh quante volte a voi l'ho ricantata!
"Foglia di rosa, o fiore d'amaranto,
Se ti fai sposa,
Io ti sto sempre accanto.
Se ti fai sposa,
Io ti sto sempre accanto. "
Foglia di rosa.
Domani avrete intorno
Feste sorrisi e fiori,
Nè penserete ai nostri vecchi amori.
Ma sempre, notte e giorno,
Piena di passione,
Verrà gemendo a voi la mia canzone:
Verrà gemendo la mia canzone:
"Foglia di menta, o fiore di granato,
Nina, rammenta I baci che t'ho dato!
Nina, rammenta I baci che t'ho dato! "
Foglia di menta!
La... La... La...
@salvinasantoro5208
Questa meraviglia non l'avevo ancora sentita,ma e'vero che ci manchi tanto maestro Pavarotti
@fabriziapiazzi1653
Adoro Pavarotti sarà per sempre nel mio cuore.
@lucianasalis9216
Com’era bravo...quanto ci manca!
@carlosrobertomlot6113
Para sempre Pavarotti. Divina imortal voz !
@amaliaenoki6511
Saudades...divino Pavarotti!
@tenorschofield
MERAVIGLIOSO LUCIANO PAVAROTTI!!!
@Felix73able
Rarely commented on is the exceptional beauty of Pavs middle and lower register . Rich and vibrant . A perfect voice
@jackbrodni684
Fenomenal como siempre
@mozinho26
Bravíssimo
@hada9568
Mi manchi tu ancora Luciano.