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.
Rondine al nido
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Una rondine amica,
Allo sbocciar del mandorlo é tornata.
Ritorna tutti gli anni,
Sempre alla stessa data;
Monti e mare essa varca per tornar.
Solo amore
Quando fugge e va lontano
Nella penombra dolce della sera
passa la primavera.
Cinguettano le rondini nel volo,
Ebbre di luce e d'aria.
Ed io son triste e solo;
Monti e mare tu non varchi per tornar.
Mia piccina, fosti tutta la mia vita;
Sei fuggita e non torni piú.
The lyrics of Luciano Pavarotti's song "Rondine al nido" depict the return of a swallow to its nest under the eaves of an ancient tower. As the almond trees blossom in spring, the bird comes back every year on the same date, crossing mountains and seas to return to its familiar home. The singer observes the bird's loyalty to its nesting ground, and laments the futility of his own hopes for a lost love that has gone far away and will not return.
The second stanza paints a scene of evening shadows and chirping swallows, joyfully darting through the air. However, the contrast with the singer's mood is striking: he feels sad and alone, as he reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the impossibility of recapturing a love that has slipped away. The conclusion of the song reveals that the singer is addressing a beloved person, possibly a child or a lover, who has left him and never returned. He calls her "my little one" and confesses that she was his entire life, but she has chosen to escape from his embrace and disappear forever.
Overall, the lyrics express the themes of attachment, loyalty, loss, and acceptance. The swallow's instinctual loyalty to its nest serves as a parallel to the singer's lingering feelings for his loved one, but unlike the bird, he cannot hold on to what he cherishes. He must learn to accept the transience of life and the powerlessness of his own desires. The mournful melody and Pavarotti's emotive singing capture the pathos and nostalgia of the lyrics, making "Rondine al nido" a poignant reflection on the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
Sotto la gronda della torre antica
Beneath the eaves of the ancient tower
Una rondine amica,
I have a friendly swallow
Allo sbocciar del mandorlo é tornata.
It returns when the almonds are in bloom.
Ritorna tutti gli anni,
It returns every year
Sempre alla stessa data;
Always on the same day
Monti e mare essa varca per tornar.
It crosses mountains and seas to return.
Solo amore
Only love
Quando fugge e va lontano
When it flees and goes far away
Speri in vano e non torni piú.
You hope in vain and it never returns
Nella penombra dolce della sera
In the sweet twilight of the evening
passa la primavera.
Spring passes by
Cinguettano le rondini nel volo,
Swallows chirp while flying
Ebbre di luce e d'aria.
Drunk on light and air.
Ed io son triste e solo;
And I am sad and alone
Monti e mare tu non varchi per tornar.
You do not cross mountains and seas to return to me.
Mia piccina, fosti tutta la mia vita;
My little one, you were my whole life
Sei fuggita e non torni piú.
You have run away and will not return.
Contributed by Carson L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@leonidasgallardo2565
Bajo la cornisa de la torre antigua
una golondrina amiga, al florecer del almendro ha regresado.
Regresa todos los años
siempre en la misma fecha;
montes y mares ella cruza para regresar.
Solo al amor
cuando huye y se va lejos
espero en vano, y no regresa más.
En la penumbra dulce de la noche
pasa la primavera.
Gorjean las golondrinas en vuelo
Embriagadas de luz y aire,
Y yo estoy triste y solo;
Montes y mares tú no cruzas para regresar.
Mi pequeñita, fuiste toda mi vida!
Has huido, y no regresas más.
@callycomenos4579
An angel who had blessed us mortals for such a short time.
@drevil3559
To most non opera listeners, Nessus Dorma is probably the one song they most associate with the great man, but for me this is my favourite. It shows not only his awesome power but also the tenderness that only great singers can convey.
@missmerrily4830
Oh, me too... such beautiful words so sublimely sung!
@germanisthegelianer
frankly, the most non opera listeners are not able to even associate anything with pavarotti, they hardly know about him...
@franciscocastelli7985
100% agree. I'm an ópera listener and singer. To listeners or non listeners your comment is totally true. I hope i learn it and sing it sometime
@bobbym6130
Thanks to the Doctor from Star Trek Voyager, I know about this, and it's my favorite too
@richardcerbini3257
He only lived 71 years as every time he sang, a small piece of his soul was spent. God let us mortals hear what an angel actually sounds like.
@Domani02
Magnifique
@maryrauschenberger1537
Beautiful Beautiful
@johnmarlin7269
I can't understand a word he is singing -- and yet, I understand every word he is singing. Bob almighty this is amazing.