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 Serenata
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dormon le palombelle innamorate
Così tu adagi la persona stanca
Sotto le coltri molli e ricamate
La testa bionda sul guancial riposa
Lieta de' sogni suoi color di rosa
E tra le larve care al tuo sorriso
Passa e ti dice che bruciar le vene
Che sanguinare il cuore per te mi sento
Passa e ti dice che ti voglio bene
Che sei la mia dolcezza e il mio tormento
Bianca tra un nimbo di capelli biondi
Lieta sorridi ai sogni tuoi giocondi
Ah, non destarti, o fior del paradiso
Ch′io vengo in sogno per baciarti in viso
The song "La Serenata" by Luciano Pavarotti is a romantic ballad about a lover who sings a serenade to his beloved as she sleeps. The opening lines compare the sleeping woman to doves, suggesting her innocence and vulnerability. The singer then urges his beloved to rest and relax, as he notes the embroidered bed sheets and the peaceful expression on her face.
The second stanza describes the woman's happy dreams, and suggests that one dream in particular - represented by the "larve care" or "beloved apparitions" - gently brushes against her face. In the third and fourth stanzas, the singer reveals his ardor for the woman, declaring that he would "burn his veins" or "bleed his heart" for her. He adds that she is both his "sweetness" and his "torment."
Finally, the singer addresses the woman directly, calling her a "flower of paradise" and urging her not to awaken as he kisses her face in his dream. The song captures the sense of longing and devotion that is often the hallmark of romantic love.
Line by Line Meaning
Come col capo sotto l′ala bianca
Just as the white doves sleep with their heads tucked under their wings
Dormon le palombelle innamorate
The little doves, madly in love, are fast asleep
Così tu adagi la persona stanca
Similarly, you lay down your weary body
Sotto le coltri molli e ricamate
Under soft, embroidered coverlets
La testa bionda sul guancial riposa
Your fair head rests on a pillow
Lieta de' sogni suoi color di rosa
Happy with your colorful, rosy dreams
E tra le larve care al tuo sorriso
And among the loved ones in your smile
Una ne passa che ti sfiora il viso
One passes by and lightly touches your face
Passa e ti dice che bruciar le vene
It passes and tells you that it would burn its veins
Che sanguinare il cuore per te mi sento
That it would bleed its heart for you
Passa e ti dice che ti voglio bene
It passes and tells you that it loves you
Che sei la mia dolcezza e il mio tormento
That you are its sweetness and its torment
Bianca tra un nimbo di capelli biondi
Fair, surrounded by a halo of blonde hair
Lieta sorridi ai sogni tuoi giocondi
Happily smiling at your joyful dreams
Ah, non destarti, o fior del paradiso
Ah, do not awaken, flower of paradise
Ch′io vengo in sogno per baciarti in viso
For in a dream, I come to kiss your face
Writer(s): Mascagni, Stecchetti
Contributed by Kaelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ForXXLp
Come col capo sotto l'ala bianca
dormon le palombelle innamorate,
Così tu adagi la persona stanca
sotto le coltri molli e ricamate.
La testa bionda sul guancial riposa
lieta de' sogni suoi color di rosa
e tra le larve care al tuo sorriso
una ne passa che ti sfiora il viso.
Passa e ti dice che bruciar le vene,
che sanguinare il cor per te mi sento.
Passa e ti dice che ti voglio bene,
che sei la mia dolcezza e il mio tormento.
Bianca tra un nimbo di capelli biondi
lieta sorridi ai sogni tuoi giocondi.
Ah, non destarti, o fior del Paradiso,
ch'io vengo in sogno per baciarti in viso!
@Mr33Arcadian
Amorous doves sleep
heads buried in their white wings.
You are like that, easing your tiredness
under the embroidered quilt.
Your blond head rests on the pillow;
Enjoying rose-coloured dreams.
As you smile, a passing fairy
brushes your face.
It passes, and tells you my blood is burning in my veins,
And my heart bleeds for you.
As it passes, it tells you that I love you,
That you are my sweetness and my torment.
White, in a cloud of blond hair,
Ah, don't wake up, my flower of paradise,
because I am coming
to kiss you in your dreams.
@salvinasantoro5208
Noi italiani siamo fortunati,abbiamo avuto i.migliori fra cantanti lirici e musicisti,.
@Caruso_is_king
His diction, the line, the emotion …..pure Pavarotti 😊
@safetehysaj1670
Meraviglioso.... Mi fa emozionare,grandissimo Pavaroti
@rossanalicciardi2703
Unico!! Meraviglioso, Lucianone!👏👏❤
@margcarter3758
2019 I listen to him every day !
@ellenlyons7413
I do also, its not a good day unless you hear this voice.
@SuperAleaiactaest
Hands down one of my favorite songs ever.
@micheledibella7335
SuperAleaiactaest Non penso che ci sarà unaltro PAVAROTTI.
@vitocaruso979
formidabile, insuperabile. Fa accapponare la pelle.
@Ginotti
This is the gem of the recital. One of most beautiful things he did in those routine-like years.