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.
Neapolis
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
sott'o cielo azzurro esta città.
Siente pè me chesta felicità
e ringrazio Dio che m'ha dato a'tte.
Mo' chistu core vola
cca ll'aria e mare addora.
E nun saie pecché chesta a passione mia
Si pienze po' ca nun so' nnato accà
sott'o sole cascar da' sta città,
ma chesta mamma so figlio comm'a tè
e dint'all'anima io stò sempre accà.
Mo' chistu core vola
cca ll'aria e mare addora.
E nun saie pecché chesta a passione mia...
Mo' chistu core sona
cca tutta n'ata storia
e sacc'io pecché dint'o sangue mio c'a Napule,
e sacc'io pecché dint'o sangue mio c'a Napule pè mme.
The lyrics of Luciano Pavarotti's song "Neapolis" are an ode to the beautiful city of Naples. The first stanza speaks of the city's appeal under the blue sky, expressing gratitude to God for giving him such a place. The second stanza delves deeper into personal connections, mentioning that while the singer might not have been born in Naples, the city is like a mother and he remains connected to it in his soul. The chorus reflects a sense of freedom and joy that the singer feels while being surrounded by the air and sea of the city. The third stanza talks about the emotional connection he has with the city, speaking about how the city represents a significant part of his history and being.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of immense love and appreciation for the city of Naples, capturing the essence of the city's rich culture and history that has inspired generations. The city's importance in the singer's life is also highlighted, with the lyrics showcasing his deep emotional connection to the place that he calls home.
Line by Line Meaning
No niente cchiù putesse maie vulé
There's nothing more I could ever want
sott'o cielo azzurro esta città.
Under the blue sky of this city
Siente pè me chesta felicità
This happiness is felt by me
e ringrazio Dio che m'ha dato a'tte.
And I thank God for giving me you
Mo' chistu core vola
Now my heart flies
cca ll'aria e mare addora.
Here, where the air and sea smell sweet
E nun saie pecché chesta a passione mia
And you don't know why this is my passion
è Napule
It's Naples
Si pienze po' ca nun so' nnato accà
Sometimes I think that I wasn't born here
sott'o sole cascar da' sta città,
Under the sun that shines on this city
ma chesta mamma so figlio comm'a tè
But this city is like a mother to me, and I am its son
e dint'all'anima io stò sempre accà.
And in my soul, I am always here
Mo' chistu core vola
Now my heart flies
cca ll'aria e mare addora.
Here, where the air and sea smell sweet
E nun saie pecché chesta a passione mia...
And you don't know why this is my passion
Mo' chistu core sona
Now my heart sings
cca tutta n'ata storia
Here, another story is being told
e sacc'io pecché dint'o sangue mio c'a Napule,
And I know that Naples runs deep in my blood
e sacc'io pecché dint'o sangue mio c'a Napule pè mme.
And I know that for me, Naples is in my blood
Writer(s): Carlo Mioli, Roberto Bonaventura, Veris Giannetti Copyright: S.I.A.E. Direzione Generale
Contributed by Levi M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.