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.
La Bohème
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Di mite circonfuso alba lunar
In te ravviso il sogno ch'io vorrei sempre sognar
Fremon già nell'anima le dolcezze estreme
Tu sol comandi, amore
Fremon nell'anima dolcezze estreme
Fremon dolcezze estreme
No, per pietà
Sei mia
V'aspettan gli amici
Già mi mandi via?
Vorrei dir, ma non oso
E di'
Se venissi con voi?
Che? Mimì
Sarebbe così dolce restar qui, c'è freddo fuori
Vi starò vicina
E al ritorno?
Curioso
Dammi il braccio, o mia piccina
Obbedisco, signor
Che m'ami, di'
Io t'amo
Amore, amor, amor
These lyrics are a duet between the characters of Rodolfo and Mimì in Act 1 of Puccini's "La Bohème." Rodolfo is immediately enraptured by Mimì's beauty, describing her as a "soave fanciulla" (tender girl) with a "dolce viso" (sweet face). He sees her as the embodiment of his dreams and desires, and his heart is already trembling with "dolcezze estreme" (extreme sweetness). He tells her that she alone commands his love.
Mimì is hesitant at first, questioning Rodolfo's intentions and asking if he will soon send her away like others before him. Rodolfo reassures her that he would never do such a thing and suggests that they leave together. Mimì is reluctant to leave but ultimately agrees to go with him, declaring her love for him.
Line by Line Meaning
O soave fanciulla, o dolce viso
Oh gentle maiden, oh sweet face
Di mite circonfuso alba lunar
Encircled by soft moonlight
In te ravviso il sogno ch'io vorrei sempre sognar
In you I see the dream I always want to dream
Fremon già nell'anima le dolcezze estreme
The sweetest joys already stir within my soul
Tu sol comandi, amore
You alone command, my love
Fremon nell'anima dolcezze estreme
The sweetest joys stir within my soul
Fremon dolcezze estreme
The sweetest joys stir
Nel bacio freme amor
In the kiss love trembles
No, per pietà
No, have mercy
Sei mia
You are mine
V'aspettan gli amici
Your friends are waiting
Già mi mandi via?
Are you already sending me away?
Vorrei dir, ma non oso
I would like to say, but I dare not
E di'
And say
Se venissi con voi?
If I came with you?
Che? Mimi'
What? Mimi
Sarebbe così dolce restar qui, c'è freddo fuori
It would be so sweet to stay here, it's cold outside
Vi starò vicina
I'll stay close to you
E al ritorno?
And when we return?
Curioso
Curious one
Dammi il braccio, o mia piccina
Give me your arm, oh my little one
Obbedisco, signor
I obey, sir
Che m'ami, di'
You love me, say it
Io t'amo
I love you
Amore, amor, amor
Love, love, love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind