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.
Rigoletto
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Qual piuma al vento
Muta d'accento
E di pensiero
Sempre un amabile
Leggiadro viso
In pianto o in riso
La donna è mobile
Qual piuma al vento
Muta d'accento
E di pensier
E di pensier
E di pensier
È sempre misero
Chi a lei s'affida
Chi le confida
Mal cauto il core
Pur mai non sentesi
Felice appieno
Qui su quel seno
Non liba amore
La donna è mobile
Qual piuma al vento
Muta d'accento
E di pensier
E di pensier
E di pensier
The song La Donna e Mobile is from Giuseppe Verdi's opera Rigoletto, and it is sung by the Duke of Mantua, played in this recording by Luciano Pavarotti. The lyrics describe how fickle and unpredictable women can be, and how a man who puts his trust in a woman is always unhappy. The first stanza says that women are like feathers in the wind, changing their speech and thoughts. They always have a lovely face, but whether they are laughing or crying, they are deceitful. The second stanza says that anyone who relies on a woman is always miserable and foolish to trust their heart to her. Even if they are close to her, they never experience true happiness in her arms.
Line by Line Meaning
La donna è mobile
A woman is unpredictable
Qual piuma al vento
Like a feather in the wind, she is constantly changing direction
Muta d'accento
Changes her tone, style, and mood frequently
E di pensiero
And her thoughts are always changing
Sempre un amabile
She's always charming
Leggiadro viso
With an elegant face
In pianto o in riso
Whether she's crying or smiling
È mensognero
She is not always truthful
E di pensier
And her thoughts are always changing
È sempre misero
He's always miserable
Chi a lei s'affida
Whoever trusts her
Chi le confida
Whoever confides in her
Mal cauto il core
Does so unwisely and with a vulnerable heart
Pur mai non sentesi
He never feels
Felice appieno
Entirely happy
Qui su quel seno
Even on her bosom
Non liba amore
He doesn't taste love
E di pensier
And her thoughts are always changing
E di pensier
And her thoughts are always changing
E di pensier
And her thoughts are always changing
Lyrics © KENDOR MUSIC, INC.
Written by: GIUSEPPE VERDI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind