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From Times Online

September 6, 2007

Comment: Pavarotti, the global reach of a pop star

Tenor Pavarotti at the Thermae Bath Spa in Bath, August 6 2003

Richard Morrison, Chief Music Critic of The Times

Audio slideshow: classical editor Neil Fisher remembers Luciano Pavarotti

The greatest opera singer of our generation? Almost certainly that won’t be posterity’s verdict on Luciano Pavarotti, although he undoubtedly had one of the finest natural voices of our times.

Wonderfully burnished in timbre, yet (in its prime) superbly supple and agile, it was a honeyed instrument that could caress the luscious contours of some sentimental Neapolitan song as effectively as it could delineate the quicksilver coloratura of a showcase Bellini or Donizetti aria.

Whatever the repertoire, the young Pavarotti made singing seem as simple and as joyous as plucking apples off a tree. Even the thrilling high Cs that he regularly tossed into his recitals (whether the composers had written them or not) sounded utterly effortless.

By the standards of, say, his great rival Placido Domingo, his acting skills and musical ambitions were limited. He was content to operate within a very small area of Italian opera and Neapolitan song, and his repertoire grew smaller as he grew older.

But he was always much bigger, in every sense, than his vocal cords. Unlike Domingo and Jose Carreras, Pavarotti fitted exactly the popular image of what an operatic tenor should look like, and how he should behave.

The Falstaffian figure weighing in at 25 stone by the time he reached middle age; the giant, white handkerchief, ostentatiously mopping sweat from the huge, beaming face; the legendary tales of mountainous plates of pasta being consumed before and after performances — in all these respects Pavarotti was an archetype made flesh.

And what flesh! Sniffy critics and stuffy cognoscenti despaired of this vast and ungainly figure attempting to portray energetic warriors such as Radames in Aida, or ardent romantic lovers such as Cavaradossi in Tosca. And it is true that whole productions had to be designed around Pavarotti’s lack of mobility or his primitive acting (especially when compared to Domingo’s superb dramatic skills).

Yet in an era when classical music struggled to make any impression at all on mass culture, Pavarotti became a huge household name, revered by countless fans who would never think of setting foot inside an opera house.

Part of that success was undoubtedly due to a ruthlessly exploitative marketing machine. The big man himself might have cultivated the impression (actually not so far from the truth) that he was a simple Italian peasant lad who had unwittingly stumbled on a pot of gold and couldn’t believe his luck. But gathered around him were some of the shrewdest marketing men in the business.

His biggest payday came in 1990 when ten milllion records were sold on the back of the Three Tenors at the Rome World Cup — an astonishing number in an era when the sales of many classical recordings, even by big names, struggled to get into four figures.

For me, however, it was his Hyde Park concert the following year that most clearly demonstrated Pavarotti’s unique quality: a platform charisma powerful enough to enthral thousands in the most unpropitious circumstances. On that never-to-be-forgotten night the heavens opened, and 100,000 people sitting in the open air (including Prince Charles and Diana) were drenched. The St John Ambulance even treated 193 concertgoers for hypothermia. Yet nobody dreamt of running for cover, or leaving early.

As he did throughout his 40-year career, this golden voice held multitudes spellbound. And when he hit the top B in Nessun dorma — which he held, in a stupendous display of lung power, for what seemed like 20 or 30 seconds — you could hear the cheer in Brighton.

This is the image of Pavarotti that should stay forever ingrained in the memory of millions. He was well into his fifties then, and rich beyond measure. Why don’t superstars ever quit when they are at the top?

In his final years his performances became increasingly erratic, until he disappeared from public life. Such coverage as he garnered since was usually about his private life, not his musical qualities — especially his decision to leave his wife of 35 years for a woman more than 30 years his junior.

The last time he sang his signature tune, Nessun dorma, it was transposed down several pitches to make the top notes possible. A scheduled farewell tour was postponed — and though we waited, the greatest performer of our age never returned to give his swansong.

I know we're meant to be "divided by a common language" but I hadn't realised it was this divided. How have the American respondents thus far taken this to be a negative article? I think it a fair - and even affectionate - article (particularly in the paragraph on the Hyde Park concert ) in tribute to a popular and great artist with a glorious natural voice and star quality who was aware of and stayed within his limitations in the repertoire. Nothing wrong with that! He will be greatly missed and I am sure Mr Morrison would never dispute that.

PS At the risk of sounding a bit grovelly, please ignore Barbara from Chicago and continue to review music. I find your commentaries very informed and enlightening.

Kevin Browne, Reading, Berkshire, England

Critics always miss the point of popular culture. It's their function to try and explain the unexplainable. What they write is a point of view usually only shared by themselves and a small minority of self deceived intellectuals. Their principle aim is to separate themselves from what they regard as barbarous popularism. Vulgarity has many forms. Critics express theirs with eloquence and aplomb. We do need their input but loneliness must be their required state.

M.J. Frizell, Payzac, France

I agree with the obsevation that Richard Morrison is being churlish. I would think that a talent like Pavarotti would get a break from criticism on the day of his death.

Jody Auletta, St. Louis, MO

Morrison's analysis is entirely correct, and his timing entirely appropriate. What better time to offer an objective analysis than now? Some of the posters here seem to regard Pavarotti as some kind of plaster saint, rather than as a supremely gifted and yet flawed artist . Hagiography should have no place in the evaluation of an artist of his stature.

Brian, London, UK

"Jeder hÃ¤lt die Grenzen des eigenen Gesichtsfelds fÃ¼r die Grenzen der Welt / Everyone takes the limits of his field of vision for the confines of the world." Arthur Schopenhauer What an inane comment, Mr. Morrison.

Paolo, Milan,

Is everything a competition?

Do tenors have rivals?

What?

Richard Boyce, HAYWARDS HEATH, Sussex

Morrison should read his own newspaper, particulalry the article written by Simon Barnes to see the effect Pavaroti has had on those who listened to him. Barnes describes how the hooligan infested disater ridden state of English football was changed by one man, one song and the decision to make that man and his song part of football's image. His last paragraph says more than Morrison's whole article.

Would it (the change in attitude) have happened without Pavarotti and Nessun Dorma and Italia 90? I doubt it. Englandâ€™s conversion from football-haters to football-lovers was about emotion, not conviction, and it happened because that swelling song, the epic virtuosity of the singer and the crazed emotions he gave voice to formed a portal for the realisation that football is not a thing exclusive to the slums but a swelling opera that touches the hearts and souls of everyone within earshot. And if it all ends in tears, itâ€™s all the more glorious for that. Allâ€™alba vincerÃ²! VincerÃ²! Vinc

Tony, Salisbury,

"Everyone takes the limits of his field of vision for the confines of the world." Arthur Schopenhauer What an inane comment, Mr. Morrison.

Paolo, Milan,

Speaking as someone who is suspicious of the common over-romanticism surrounding the passing of people in the public eye, I found this piece to be a rather mean-spirited assessment of such a joyful, naturally talented and talismanic performer. I was especially disappointed to see such a harshly critical introduction and a thoroughly prosaic conlusion to this important article. Although one would not doubt Pavarotti's lack of agility and mobility, he more than compensated for these relativley trivial traits through his charisma and utterly magical voice. Despite a relatively narrow repertoire, what he did, he did so inspirationally that he will surely be remembered as the greatest tenor of our times. Who can truly isolate warmth and charisma from acting ability when forming a view of an opera singer? This is the end of an era.

Mark, South Wales,

I suppose Richard Morrison could do better. Running down Pavarotti gets him noticed on a day when superlatives are spewing from every where across the globe. Luciano will be missed, greatly, if ever a singer had or has the ability to make the hairs on your neck stand up or tears well up in the eyes then you are in the presence of greatness, Pavarotti was such a singer. All his pretenders can now form an orderly queue behind the coffin of the great man, the King is dead, long live the King.

Marco, London, UK

grazie Luciano and thank you Dale Bratton .

claudeRuggiero, paris, France

Mr. Morrison gave an honest and correct observation on Mr. Pavarotti. He even held back a bit, I think.

robert, vancouver,

'Churlish' is a fair comment, but in defence of the writer, this is the day to say it. However, the article is woefully defective in that the writer does not - or cannot - put his money where his mouth is and say who IS the greatest tenor of the 20th and 21st century. The general public, who are as likely to enter an Opera House at $200 a shot as they are to enter an abattoir, simply don't count the acting ability. Did this guy ever see Caruso or Jussi Bjoerling acting? Spare us.

John Carty, Medellin, Colombia

geez, was this comment even necessary? The man just passed away. Granted he doesn't have to be idolized but this piece is just out of place at such a sad occasion.

KG, Providence, RI, USA

I agree Dale. How sad that even at his death a man who gave such joy to millions has to be denigrated in such a way. I have been an opera fan for 60 years and nothing I have ever heard could touch the sheer beauty and clarity of his voice. God bless you, Pav, and thanks.

Shirley Ratcliffe, Loughborough, Leics. UK

While it is true that Mr Morrisson's eulogy to Pavarotti could have waited until some time after the funeral, I think he did not overstate his argument. Most singers are careful about their instruments and their repertoire; their voices serve them and the music better and longer.Pavarotti, blessed with an extraordinary voice,tried to be all things to all music, and the voice suffered for it. I could go the rest of my life without hearing Sting (his attempts at Dowland prove my point) and why Pavarotti should squander his talent and sound outside of the wide and deep area of art music always puzzled me. ( It will be interesting if those who claim he brought them to opera will stay around to hear and learn more; or will they wander back to where they feel at home.)Pavarotti probably will not be remembered as a great artist - the temperament and enormous excesses of his life doubtless saw to that.But he could move audiences like no one else. Perhaps that was enough.

Patricia Yeiser, Syracuse, New York U.S.A.

Well done Morrison. Someone who finally cuts through the sanctification of dead people and says it like it is. Pavarotti was of course a great singer, but in terms of opera as a vast genre of styles, periods, composers and repertoire Pavarotti was never going to get near Domingo, who sang Wagner as he could sing Verdi as he could sing Rossini or Richard Strauss. It does not seem that selling millions of records of aria compilations is "bringing" people to opera. I don't see the Royal Opera House or the ENO turning away 1000s of recent converts every night. At Opera North in Leeds, rarely will you see a packed house. He certainly made some arias popular, i.e. Nessun Dorma, but how many of those who bought that single aria actually went on to listen to (or attend a performance of) the whole opera?

Maxo, Palermo, Italy

A very grudging tribute - exactly what one might expect from a music snob who seems not to want to share opera with the great unwashed!

Should I say I'm sorry this great man helped us intrude upon your arcane world? No, God bless the man with all his faults and limitations! He brought immense joy to millions regardless of the height of their brows and, as another respondent pointed out, will leave a greater mark on history than Mr Morrison could ever dream of.

His comments may be technically accurate but they are mean and petty. Let history be the judge.

Tom Read, Colchester,

Whenever I was feeling down, I could play anyone of his CD's and feel better. You couldn't just listen to his voice - you felt it. It seems fitting that Mt. Etna erupts the day that he died.

Judith Harris, Richmond, Va., USA

Grande, grande, grandissimo.
Addio, caro Luciano.

Tato Dulanci, Vitoria, Spain

Pavarotti was an excellent tenor when at the height of his powers. There is some truth in the article of Richard Morrison but now is not the time to make such comments. When on stage Pavarotti gave his all and appealed to a wide audience. His larger than life personality and charisma drew people to listen to him even though they would never have gone to an opera.

Now is the time to look at the great contribution he made to music especially opera and leave the more analytical comments to a more appropriate time.

magaret zier, newport, gwent

The greatest opera singer of our generation? Certainly within my generation! I feel so grateful that I have been able to experience the unforgetable voice of Pavarotti in performance within my lifetime. May I correct you in saying that he was a legend! Pavarotti may God bless you!

Carol, Hampshire, United kingdom

In 1971 ,on a boat off the island of Elba,an american girl put on a tape of Pavarotti ,I warned her that I ,the skipper ,(italian ) hated opera and she would be trown overboard if
the accursed music was not immediatly stopped,but the voice suddenly casted a spell on my soul and while staring at the emerald sea I fell hopelessy in love with it_ Rest in Peace Luciano .

Giovanni, London, UK

Dear Richard Morrison, this is a typica english approach to non-english artists. There is nothing to ad to your comment. If I could I would be happy to send you cd's where you can appreaciate how wide was his repertoire. Indeed, one has not to perform as a slot machine, dear Chief Music Critic of The Times (yes, maybe old times)

Jimmy Milanese, Merano, Italy

Yes, a churlish comment that serves no useful purpose!!

Barbara, Los Angeles, CA

wow - how small of you Morrison, I for one will never remember you when your gone, the love of life and the voice that was Pavarotti will live on for centuries - I'm sorry I came across your scratchings -

Chris Costa, Trumbull , USA / CT

Equally I think your timing lacks the real understanding and the effect that Luciano Pavarotti has had on so many. You miss the real point, he was capable of holding your attention irrespective of what he sang, just how we could marvel at his control and ease and simply enabled us to enjoy that voice whenever he sang, it cut across generations and musical borders. So for you as a purist steeped in opera so what that he did not go beyond certain opera boundaries? He cut across different boundaries that were cultural, ageless and able to combine with so many different musical approaches with so many of the greats that perhaps no one else has been able to do, and that does place him as the greatest "universal" appealing singer of this generation.

Certainly you live up to your title "critic". Sad you seem to reflect on his life in this way, it seems a little bitter if I may say and your timing misses the real beat of this moment or his true status well beyond opera

Paul A Hobcraft, Singapore, Singapore

I'm always amazed at where any critic gets their knowledge and skills from that they can then give an opinion of someone like the great Luciano Pavarotti.
Read the newspapers Mr Morrison, watch TV and look at the real critics of the world, the people.
Big Lucy brought opera to the masses and was loved and will be missed by billions of people worldwide.
Don't tell us what we don't want to hear, you do your profession no credit by penning your article at this saddest of times.
The world has lost a true legend and an International treasure.
Rest well sweet prince.

N. B. Leonard, Tongyeong, South Korea

De mortuis nil nisi bonum. Perhaps, but there is a need to expunge the hype. Pavarotti, even in the limited Italian repertoire, was at no point of his career pre-eminent, just better marketed. When the voice was fresh, he would have had to play second fiddle to Corelli.

In the end he hung on too long, and presumably had to engage in an increasingly bizarre series of low grade crossover performances to deal presumably with the divorce settlement awarded to the unfortunate wife he dumped.

Niall Sullivan, Chester, UK

A refreshingly honest article, although perhaps this was not the right time to publish it.

Fedora, Toronto, Canada

I had the luck to hear Pavarotti half a dozen times, standing with the truest of opera true believers behind the balcony rail at the Opera House here in San Francisco. We could tell then, and simply know all the more surely now that 25 or 30 years have passed, that we were hearing the voice of the century.

Michael J. Bertinetti, San Francisco, USA

I don't agree with Morrison - I think Pavarotti had the most wonderful voice I've ever heard.

Jan, Auckland, New Zealand

By the way, who is Richard Morrison?

Jan, Auckland, New Zealand

Sympthies to the Italians. I know what it's like to lose a tenner

Lawrence, Liverpool, England

I'm sorry that you felt you had to post this unflattering review of Pavarotti on the very day he died. It's was a rather crass thing to do.

Tom Moody, Nobleboro, ME

There is certainly no need for Morrison's trashy comments on such a poignant day. Leave such cruel & unnecessary remarks for the history books. Indeed, history will gladly remember Luciano Pavarotti, but who will want to remember Morrison? At this moment, let us revel in the beauty of what Luciano gave us and relish the charisma and clarity of his wonderful vocal talent.

Bud, Fairfax, Virginia

today is a bad day for italy! Big Luciano Died!I start my day here on front of my pc to see Luciano at "you tube" sing "nessun dorma" and i was crying!

gian carlo bailo, Levanto , italy

Whether you're right or wrong isn't the point Mr Morrison - this article could have waited for another day.

Mark Duncan, Hong Kong,

I knew Mr. Pavarotti. One should seperate the God-given talent from the private life. Mr. Pavarotti was a master singer who becamed consumed with his own fame. Standing countless times in front of thousands of adoring fans can do that to a person. At his Berlin Opera debut, he gave no less than 115 curtain calls. Regardless of his decisions concerning his private life, Mr. Pavarotti had a true gift. He used it to its fullest extent. We, as a human race, should celebrate the life of any person who can use their talents to enrich other people's lives.

Bruce A MacLaren, Bad Endorf, BA

I do not have the words but I have felt the emotion. Pavarotti and Nessum Dorma mark an era. I will never forget that. To hear is to know, now and forev er. We all miss u

Darren Cahil, Addlestone, UK

I know one or two other people who might have written an article like this on this day. You are certainly in the minority. God gave Pavarotti the most beautiful voice ever and I melt like butter when I hear it. We should all hope that we can be in the presense of such emense talent again someday.

Natalie Armstrong, Indianapolis, IN, USA

You should review food...why is it that the (gag) artform of citics must be mired in vile commentary, maquerading as snappy knowledge about something, anything, that, most of all, one has NO knowledge?The Maesto's legacy willl eternally speak for itself-thank goodness, without YOU...simply put,we were all fortunate enough to have the great gift of his stupendous talent as long as we did.Bravo,Maestro-you will be missed by many around the world...I thank you

Barbara, Chicago,Illinois, USA

A churlish comment on a sad occasion. Critical summing up would have best been left for another day -- or even another year.

We have last a voice that will live in our memories for the rest of our lives. Yes, he limited himself to a particular Italian repertoire. But in his chosen realm, and in his prime, he had no vocal equals. the purity of lyric tone, the perfection of his Italian phrasing, the emotional impact of the singing were a tremendous joy.

Dale Bratton, San Francisco, USA