Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Luciano Pavarotti

Tenor Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in Strelna. – By Kremlin.ru – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Luciano Pavarotti

Luciano Pavarotti was a popular Italian vocal performer and a renowned tenor. A tenor is a singing voice between baritone and alto or countertenor, the highest of the ordinary adult male range.

Pavarotti was born on 12th October 1935 and passed away on 6th September 2007 at 71 years of age. He was internationally renowned for his captivating televised concerts and performances.

Through the course of his career, he rose through the ranks and slowly but surely established himself as the greatest tenor of the 20th century if not of all time.

Below are some interesting facts about the life and career of Luciano Pavarotti.

1. He Took Part-Time Jobs to Pay for Music Classes

Luciano was the son of Fernando Pavarotti and Adele Venturi. Fernando was a baker and an amateur tenor while Adele was a worker in a cigar factory. Yes, you read that right! Fernando was an amateur tenor but he did not pursue it as a career due to nervousness (stage fright).

Luciano, therefore, grew up in a musical household, getting his early influences from his father’s records. His favorite tenor as a child was Giuseppe Di Stefano. He tried to pursue a career as a goalkeeper but decided against it in favor of music.

He began studying music seriously at age 19 in 1954. This was under the tutorage of Arrigo Pola. Coming from a poor family, Luciano had to take two part-time jobs to pay for his studies and earn a living.

Despite this, he never complained about his upbringing. He was an elementary school teacher and an insurance salesman simultaneously.

2. Pavarotti Got His First Success as A Musician At 20 Years of Age

In 1954, Luciano was a student of Pola who was a famous tenor in Modena. While under his tutorage, Luciano joined the Corale Rossini choir which his father was also a member.

In 1955, he got his first major success through the choir. This win came at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. The choir won first place in the competition.

According to Luciano, the choir and the win were the most important experiences which inspired and motivated him to pursue music as a profession.

3. Married Twice

Clockwise from top: Luciano Pavarotti, daughters Cristina and Lorenza Pavarotti, wife Adua Veroni, daughter Giuliana Pavarotti. – By Gotfryd, Bernard – Wikimedia Commons

Shortly after the 1955 choir’s success, Luciano met his first wife to be; Adua Veroni. The two eventually wed in 1961. The marriage lasted for 39 years, from 1961 to 2000. The couple had three daughters together; Lorenza, Cristina, and Giuliana.

On 13th December 2003, Pavarotti married his second wife; Nicoletta Mantovani. Mantovani, born in 1969, had been his assistant for some years before their wedding.

Pavarotti and Nicoletta had a daughter before they were wed, in October 2003. A daughter, by the name of Alice. Alice had a twin brother but sadly he was stillborn.

4. He Had Legal Issues Due to Tax Evasion

To avoid heavy taxation in Italy, Luciano claimed Monte Carlo which was in the tax haven of Monaco as his residence. However, in 1999, the Italian court ruled that said residence was not large enough to accommodate his entire family.

This, therefore, meant that Pavarotti was charged with tax evasion as a result. In 2000, he agreed to pay the Italian government his dues in taxes.

They totaled over $7.6 million in taxes and charges from 1989 to 1995. In 2001, he was officially acquitted by an Italian court for tax evasion and filing false returns.

5. He Starred in A Film

Film Set – by David Condrey from Pixabay

In 1982, Luciano Pavarotti ventured into the film industry. The film, a romantic comedy, was titled ‘Yes, Giorgio.’ It was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.

Pavarotti played the role of Giorgio Fini, the main character in the film. Despite Pavarotti’s fame and star status, the film was a failure both from a commercial and a critical point of view.

All was not doomed for the film. It got a nomination for an academy award for Best Music, Original Song.

6. Luciano Is a Renowned Humanitarian

Luciano Pavarotti – By Kingkongphoto – Wikimedia Commons

Pavarotti was involved in many humanitarian and philanthropic activities and projects throughout his life. One of his most famous projects was the Pavarotti & Friends charity concert which was held annually.

The concert involved performances by many artists and singers from various genres and parts of the world. Some common artists include Celine Dion and Jon Bon Jove among many others. The funds raised from the concert were donated to several UN causes.

He also performed in several benefit concerts to raise money for victims of tragedies and natural disasters. One of these concerts was held for the victims of the Spitak earthquake in 1988.

Pavarotti was appointed the United Nations Messenger of Peace, in 1998. He used his fame to raise awareness on UN issues such as poverty, child rights, and HIV/AIDS.

7. He Had a Reputation as King of Cancellations

Luciano’s journey to the top was not smooth by any measure. However, some of the difficulties he faced can be considered as consequences of his actions. This is a reference to the reputation as ‘King of Cancellations.’

In the 1980s, he developed a habit of canceling already booked concerts and events at the last minute. This unreliable nature was not received well and led to poor relations with opera houses and event organizers.

Over eight years, he had canceled 26 out of the 41 organized appearances at the Lyric. This eventually led Ardis Krainik of the Lyric Opera of Chicago to ban him for life. This brought an end to a fruitful 15-year relationship between the two brands and put a dent in Luciano’s reputation.

8. Pavarotti Is the Only Opera Singer to Perform on Saturday Night Live

Luciano Pavarotti in Vélodrome Stadium, 15/06/02 – By Pirlouiiiit – Wikimedia Commons

On 12th December, Pavarotti made his Saturday Night Live (SNL) debut. He was the first, and to this date remains the only opera singer to perform on SNL. On that day, he performed alongside Vanessa L. Williams.

Pavarotti was a footfall fan since childhood. In 1990, he got to accomplish a dream shared by many. He performed at the world cup alongside Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo. The trio was known as the Three Tenors. 

9. Luciano Pavarotti Died In 2007

Pavarotti’s health issues started in 2005 when he underwent neck surgery to repair two vertebrae. In early 2006, he had back surgery which led to an infection at the hospital.

In July 2006, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After surgery, Luciano passed away in his home while in recovery on 6th September 2007.

His funeral was held at the Modena Cathedral. It was attended by thousands including then Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Kofi Annan. He was survived by his wife and four daughters.

10. He Was an Avid Award Winner

In 1978, Luciano won his first Grammy Award. The award was for Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance. He would win six other Grammys during his career including the 1998 Grammy Legend Award.

He also received the 2001 Kennedy Center Honors. Among his other awards are two Guinness World Records. One for the most curtain calls (165) and another for the best-selling classical album. The album in question here is Carreras Domingo Pavarotti in Concert by the Three Tenors.