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.
Mille Cherubini In Coro
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ti sorridono dal ciel.
Una dolce canzone
Taccarezza il crin
Una man ti guida lieve
Fra le nuvole dor,
Sognando e vegliando
Su te, mio tesor,
Su te, mio tesor,
Proteggendo il tuo cammin.
Dormi, dormi,
Sogna, piccolo amor mio.
Dormi, sogna,
Posa il capo sul mio cor.
Chiudi gli occhi,
Ascolta gli angioletti,
Dormi, dormi,
Sogna, piccolo amor.
Dormi, dormi,
Sogna, piccolo amor mio.
Dormi, sogna,
Posa il capo sul mio cor.
Chiudi gli occhi,
Ascolta gli angioletti,
Dormi, dormi,
Sogna, piccolo amor
The lyrics are from Luciano Pavarotti's song, "Mille Cherubini In Coro" which can be translated to “A Thousand Angels in Choir” in English. The song is sung in Italian language and is a calming lullaby for a child. The song is a prayer that a child is guided and protected by a thousand angels who reside in the choir of heaven.
The first few lines paint a picture of a thousand angels smiling down from heaven and offering comfort to the listener. The next lines describe a sweet song caressing the listener's hair as their dream is watched over by a guiding hand among the golden clouds. They are both dreaming and watching over the listener's path, to protect them.
The rest of the song is a series of repeated lines that continue to urge the child to sleep and dream peacefully. It tells the child to listen to the angels, to lay their head on the singer's chest, and to close their eyes to fall into a peaceful sleep. Overall, the lyrics of "Mille Cherubini In Coro" creates a soothing atmosphere for the child, and assures that they are safe from harm's way, protected by the angels in heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
Mille cherubini in coro
A thousand cherubs in chorus
Ti sorridono dal ciel.
They smile at you from heaven.
Una dolce canzone
A sweet song
Taccarezza il crin
Caresses your hair.
Una man ti guida lieve
A hand guides you gently
Fra le nuvole dor,
Through the golden clouds
Sognando e vegliando
Dreaming and watching over you
Su te, mio tesor,
On you, my treasure
Proteggendo il tuo cammin.
Protecting your path.
Dormi, dormi,
Sleep, sleep,
Sogna, piccolo amor mio.
Dream, my little love.
Posa il capo sul mio cor.
Rest your head on my heart.
Chiudi gli occhi,
Close your eyes,
Ascolta gli angioletti,
Listen to the little angels,
Dormi, dormi,
Sleep, sleep,
Sogna, piccolo amor.
Dream, my little love.
Writer(s): Franz Schubert, Ernst Marischka, Alois Melichar, Edoardo Senatra
Contributed by Alexis D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnrickert5572
I am an avid student of languages, and I truly love the distinct personality of each, but Italian is just beautiful...
@francoamoresano40
come si fa a non commuoversi, sentire cantando questi versi amorevoli,da una voce Angelica come il grande Luciano!
@larryloverde1629
I can’t listen to this without tearing up. This was one of my moms favorite songs. My mom would have been 98 years old today as she was born on Christmas Eve, just like her mom. I remember watching his Christmas concert with her when it first aired on PBS. He sang this song and I could see a tear in her eye. She often cried when watching those Christmas movies on the hallmark channel, now I find myself doing the same thing.
@fedup745
@Larry LoVerde. I watched it too because my mom kept blowing about this fabulous tenor. Eh, I liked it somewhat. Then many years later I very suddenly fell madly in love with his voice and with him. Like a bolt out of the blue. And then I couldn't get enough of his recordings. Then I had to see him at the Met. Then I had to see ALL his performances. Then I had to meet him (I nearly fainted). Then when he passed he broke my heart. My mom used to say she created a monster. Lol. My mom would be 101. God bless our moms and God bless Luciano Pavarotti.
@albanman
Pavarotti was in fine form when he sang this beautiful lullaby. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.
@vmezzapelliyou
I love this Italian lullabye/ Pavarotti sings this with such artistry
@synesioprestessobrinho3048
Linda canção de Schubert e excelente interpretação de Pavarotti.
@clotildegiacomini6769
Meravigliosa voce di Pavarotti.
@vrouwejusticia
Incredibly beautifully sung, what a voice, what an artistry, love this!
@seanoreilly281
Impossibly beautiful. A foretaste of Heaven.