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 traviata: Un di'felice eterea
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Un dì felice, eterea,
mi balenaste innante,
e da quel dì, tremante,
vissi d'ignoto amor.
Di quell'amor ch'è palpito
dell'universo intero,
croce e delizia al cor.
VIOLETTA
Ah, se ciò è ver, fuggitemi,
solo amistade io v'offro:
amar non so, né soffro
un così eroico amor.
Io sono franca, ingenua;
altra cercar dovete;
non arduo troverete
dimenticarmi allor.
The song 'Un dì felice, eterea' is from the opera La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, and is sung by Alfredo to his beloved Violetta, expressing his deep love for her from the moment he first saw her. The first stanza describes how her appearance on that day lit up his world with an unknown love, trembling with the mystery of the universe. He expresses how this love is both a burden and a delight to his heart, full of mystery and pride. Violetta, however, responds with caution, telling him that if this is true, he should flee from her as she can only offer him friendship since she does not know how to love or accept such heroic love. She tells him that he should find someone else to love, and it will not be difficult for him to forget her.
The song is full of emotional depth as it expresses the complexity of love and its various shades - the feeling of being caught between the joy and pain of love's intensity. It also explores the theme of societal norms which restrict the love between the two protagonists. While Alfredo is willing to accept and express his love for Violetta openly, Violetta is held back by her social position and her own fears, leading her to keep him at arm's length.
Line by Line Meaning
Un dì felice, eterea, mi balenaste innante, e da quel dì, tremante, vissi d'ignoto amor.
One happy, ethereal day, you dazzled me and since then, I've lived with trembling and unknown love.
Di quell'amor ch'è palpito dell'universo intero, misterioso, altero, croce e delizia al cor.
That love that is the heartbeat of the whole universe, mysterious, proud, a cross and delight to the heart.
Ah, se ciò è ver, fuggitemi, solo amistade io v'offro: amar non so, né soffro un così eroico amor.
Ah, if this is true, run away from me, I offer only friendship: I do not know how to love or suffer a love so heroic.
Io sono franca, ingenua; altra cercar dovete; non arduo troverete dimenticarmi allor.
I am frank, naive; you should seek another; it will not be difficult to forget me then.
Contributed by Gianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.