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.
Serenata
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dormon le palombelle innamorate,
Così tu adagi la persona stanca
Sotto le coltri molli e ricamate.
La testa bionda sul guancial riposa,
Lieta de' sogni suoi color di rosa,
Una ne passa che ti sfiora il viso.
Passa e ti dice che bruciar le vene,
Che sanguinare il cor per te mi sento,
Passa e ti dice che ti voglio bene,
Che sei la mia dolcezza e il mio tormento.
Bianca tra un nimbo di capelli biondi,
Lieta sorridi ai sogni tuoi giocondi.
Ah, non destarti, o fior del Paradiso,
Ch'io vengo in sogno per baciarti in viso!
In Luciano Pavarotti's song "Serenata," the lyrics depict a scene of a peaceful dove who has found solace in sleeping under the protection of his wing, just as the singer wishes to find rest under the soft and embroidered blankets. The singer describes a blonde head resting on a pillow, happy with its rose-colored dreams. Among these beloved delusions is one that passes by while the singer is smiling, and it brushes his face. The fantasy whispers a message of love to him, saying that it feels the need to burn its veins and bleed its heart for his sake. The same voice says that the singer is its sweetness and torment.
The last verse of the song portrays the image of a blonde head, surrounded by a halo of blonde hair, happy and smiling. The final lines of the song are a plea to not wake up this flower from paradise so that the singer can visit it in his dreams and kiss its face. The lyrics of "Serenata" captures the beauty of a fleeting moment and the intense emotion and passion that such moments can carry.
Line by Line Meaning
Come col capo sotto l'ala bianca
Just like how the little doves sleep with their heads tucked under their wings,
Dormon le palombelle innamorate,
as they fall asleep in love,
Così tu adagi la persona stanca
you also rest your tired body,
Sotto le coltri molli e ricamate.
under soft, embroidered blankets.
La testa bionda sul guancial riposa,
Your blonde head rests on the pillow,
Lieta de' sogni suoi color di rosa,
happy with your colorful rose dreams,
E tra le larve care al tuo sorriso,
Among the dear images that make you smile,
Una ne passa che ti sfiora il viso.
One of them passes and brushes against your face.
Passa e ti dice che bruciar le vene,
It passes and tells you that it burns in my veins,
Che sanguinare il cor per te mi sento,
that I feel like bleeding for you,
Passa e ti dice che ti voglio bene,
It passes and tells you that I love you,
Che sei la mia dolcezza e il mio tormento.
That you are my sweetness and my torment.
Bianca tra un nimbo di capelli biondi,
White amidst a halo of blonde hair,
Lieta sorridi ai sogni tuoi giocondi.
You smile happily at your joyful dreams.
Ah, non destarti, o fior del Paradiso,
Oh, don't wake up, flower of Paradise,
Ch'io vengo in sogno per baciarti in viso!
For I come in your dreams to kiss your face!
Writer(s): DOUGLAS GAMLEY, FRANCESCO PAOLO TOSTI
Contributed by Juliana O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ForXXLp
Come col capo sotto l'ala bianca
dormon le palombelle innamorate,
Così tu adagi la persona stanca
sotto le coltri molli e ricamate.
La testa bionda sul guancial riposa
lieta de' sogni suoi color di rosa
e tra le larve care al tuo sorriso
una ne passa che ti sfiora il viso.
Passa e ti dice che bruciar le vene,
che sanguinare il cor per te mi sento.
Passa e ti dice che ti voglio bene,
che sei la mia dolcezza e il mio tormento.
Bianca tra un nimbo di capelli biondi
lieta sorridi ai sogni tuoi giocondi.
Ah, non destarti, o fior del Paradiso,
ch'io vengo in sogno per baciarti in viso!
@Mr33Arcadian
Amorous doves sleep
heads buried in their white wings.
You are like that, easing your tiredness
under the embroidered quilt.
Your blond head rests on the pillow;
Enjoying rose-coloured dreams.
As you smile, a passing fairy
brushes your face.
It passes, and tells you my blood is burning in my veins,
And my heart bleeds for you.
As it passes, it tells you that I love you,
That you are my sweetness and my torment.
White, in a cloud of blond hair,
Ah, don't wake up, my flower of paradise,
because I am coming
to kiss you in your dreams.
@salvinasantoro5208
Noi italiani siamo fortunati,abbiamo avuto i.migliori fra cantanti lirici e musicisti,.
@Caruso_is_king
His diction, the line, the emotion …..pure Pavarotti 😊
@safetehysaj1670
Meraviglioso.... Mi fa emozionare,grandissimo Pavaroti
@rossanalicciardi2703
Unico!! Meraviglioso, Lucianone!👏👏❤
@margcarter3758
2019 I listen to him every day !
@ellenlyons7413
I do also, its not a good day unless you hear this voice.
@SuperAleaiactaest
Hands down one of my favorite songs ever.
@micheledibella7335
SuperAleaiactaest Non penso che ci sarà unaltro PAVAROTTI.
@vitocaruso979
formidabile, insuperabile. Fa accapponare la pelle.
@Ginotti
This is the gem of the recital. One of most beautiful things he did in those routine-like years.