BocelliOnline

[Melodie]

Aging tenor's difficulties pull at fans' heartstrings

By Valerie Scher
CLASSICAL MUSIC CRITIC

October 20, 2003

MEXICALI – "You are a great audience," ailing tenor Luciano Pavarotti told the thousands of fans who flocked to a desert arena to hear him. "You deserve better. Maybe another time."

Let's hope not.

His mega-concert in the vast, dry Laguna Salada – billed as "Pavarotti Without Borders: The Night of the Sun" – showed that the 68-year-old superstar should be concentrating on plans for retirement, not repeat engagements. Why risk another near-disaster like Saturday's?

Suffering from the combined effects of declining vocal powers and what he called influenza, Pavarotti sounded distressingly unfit in the program's opening works. At times his voice cracked, wobbled and wavered. He coughed after the first measures of Bononcini's baroque-style "Per la gloria d'adorarvi" and started again, as the audience applauded in encouragement. The raspy quality was nothing like the way he sounded in the long-ago days of his golden-throated prime.

The hot weather probably didn't help. (It was 91 degrees around concert time, according to the outdoor thermometer I brought from home.) Perhaps another factor was the dust churned up by thousands of cars and buses on the unpaved track leading to the parking area.

Ticket prices were high (up to $1,000). So were expectations.

"To me, it's going to be a life event – something I will remember until the end of my days," predicted Michael Klecker, 56, of Chula Vista. He arrived here on a tour bus from San Diego-based Mexico Destinations Inc., which carried Pavarotti fans, some of whom had flown in from as far away as Colorado and Florida.

By intermission, however, there were doubts that Pavarotti would make it through the program, which attracted an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 people. Part centennial celebration for Mexicali and also a part of his protracted farewell tour, the concert benefited from strong, clear electronic amplification and giant screens.

Always a showman, the veteran Italian tenor returned, and rallied, for the concert's second half. His voice improved enough for him to complete the lineup of songs and arias, which also featured the confident soprano Annalisa Raspagliosi, his longtime conductor and pianist, Leone Magiera, and a proficient orchestra whose core consisted of members of Tijuana's Orquesta de Baja California. Encouraged by cheers and appreciative applause, Pavarotti capped the concert with "O Sole Mio" and a sing-along version of the drinking song from "La Traviata" as encores, which were followed by razzle-dazzle fireworks.

Yet Pavarotti did not look well. Or happy. Gone was his customary brio, which used to manifest itself in an exuberant smile and outstretched arms that would reach out to audience members as if to embrace them.

Instead, the Italian singer often sang while seated, his face a somber mask. It was a poignant occasion for listeners like me, who used to get such pleasure from Pavarotti's performances and who still cherish the memories of them. His latest concert was sad, even a little tragic. Especially when he sang "Vesti la giubba" from Leoncavallo's "I Pagliacci," the aria of the heart-broken clown, complete with bitter laugh.

Pavarotti's vocal decline was apparent two years ago in his final concert at the San Diego Sports Arena. It's also evident in his new pop album, "Ti Adoro," in which he tries to out-do crossover throb Andrea Bocelli.

Saturday's program didn't capitalize on the album. At times, it was downright peculiar, as in the opening selections for voice and piano, which belonged at a small-scale recital rather than a mighty event. Fortunately, Pavarotti included one of his signature pieces, "Che gelida manina" from Puccini's "La Boheme," during which he achieved moments of expressive tenderness.

We'll always love you, Luciano. But please, don't prolong the retirement concerts.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20031020-9999_1c20pava.html

[Tina]

I think this is quite sad really. It is unthinkable that we are losing one of the greatest Tenor voices of our time. But Luciano is 68 yrs old, and if it is time to retire, so be it, nobody can go on forever.
I wish him much happiness in his years to come.
It just makes me even more grateful for Andrea Bocelli. Lets enjoy him, for many years to come, as one day he will be facing the same decisions.
:
_________________
La tua voce e come un dolce dolores nel mio cuore! Non c'e nessuno migliore di te!!

[Kenzu]

But not yet, not yet :wink: OFT has many more years to sing and to amaze listeners with his captivating voice.

In Luciano Pavarottis case it is sad that fans of his did have to experience such a drama in his concert in Mexicali. I too hope to one of the worlds greatest tenor a peaceful retirement. After that theres Placido Domingo who continues to sing and what about Jose Carreras? Haven´t heard of him in a long time? Domingo is if I understood it right concentrating on conducting opera as a orchestral conductor.

[Tina]

Of course Kenzu, many more years for OFT yet!!
Jose Carreras will be appearing in concert at The Royal Albert Hall on 10th December, 2003, with Hayley Westenra and the Royal Philharmonic orchestra. Tickets 0870 890 0519.
Bryn Terfel is on the day before! Tickets, 020 7589 8212.
And yes, Placido Domingo is conducting in Torre del Lago in May next year! :)
_________________
La tua voce e come un dolce dolores nel mio cuore! Non c'e nessuno migliore di te!!

[Willma]

"cross-over throb, Andrea Bocelli" - I like that phrase. How much Andrea has admired Pav and, it seems, ironically, at the end of his career, how Pav has attempted to do what Andrea does so well. When he asked Andrea why he wanted opera so badly and described it as an "unforgiving world" - I think the words came from the very bottom of his heart.

What has unsettled me more about Pav is not the diminishing of his abilities which, of course, comes with age but is appearance as a broken man. I miss that "bigger than life" quality about him. For everyone, life is a sobering experience but, perhaps with the loss of one of his children - the stillborn twin - it is just too sober for him to bear - or to hide.

Jesse Norman had a similar painful demise two summers ago at Tanglewood - and left the stage with muttered apologies. Of course, there was disappointment on the part of those who had come to see the legendary soprano, but with Pav, it must feel more like sorrow than disappointment. I'm glad I didn't see that.

[Sarah]

Pav. sang on Jay Leno's show last week and my son and I were so sorry to hear the once velvet voice so terribly deteriorated. My son thought he must be lip-syncing but I don't believe he'd do that with such a terrible sounding performance. It was very sad to hear.
Pace Santa Sarah[/list]