It was 1979, and I had never heard of Luciano Pavarotti when my classmate at Georgia State University, Julius, asked me if my husband liked music. I was trying to think of something special for my husband, Sam, for his 50th birthday. I casually mentioned the occasion to Julius, a delightful and. friendly fellow who was himself a vibrant 70 year old student auditing the Philosophy class under a program of free classes for those over 65 years of age. I was nearing 50 at the time myself and was delighted to find another wise head in the sea of 19 to 25 year olds which surrounded us.
I told Julius that my husband adored music, had an excellent tenor voice himself and sang in the church choir. Julius then suggested a fine idea for a birthday surprise.
"Luciano Pavarotti is in concert at the Fox Theater here in Atlanta on this coming Saturday night. Why don't you get tickets and take your husband to hear him. Pavarotti has one of the finest tenor voices of the century and is quite a showman."
I always enjoy any concert at the Fox Theater which was built in 1929 and is one of the last remaining "grand old theaters " remaining in the US. The acoustics there are the best anywhere providing near perfect sound for any musical concert.
I decided to take a chance on the suggestion Julius made and I ordered tickets to the Pavorotti concert.
Sam and I were overwhelmed and overjoyed to be in the audience at the Fox Theater that night.There is no way to adequately describe Pavarotti's voice and stage presence and pure joy of singing and sharing of his rare talent.
We were blessed.
We ran into Julius, my classmate, in the lobby of the Fox as we were leaving the concert. Julius took me my the arm and said.
"Don't leave yet!! Pavarotti always comes back on stage and sings many, many encores."
We rushed back to our seats and basked in the wonder of Pavarotti singing, among other numbers, " Ave Maria."
The memory of that night lingers on....We ARE blessed.
But now that magnificent voice is stilled and silent.
Goodnight Sweet Prince. Sing with the Angels.
CLICK ON TITLE OF THIS POST FOR LINK TO YOUTUBE AND PAVAROTTI SINGING.
11 comments:
How lucky you and your husband to have heard and seen him live.
Thanks you for your first hand experience and the YouTube of the master!!
Tears filled my eyes as I listened to him sing Ava Maria.. tears of wonder at his talent, tears for our loss.
You were certainly blessed. We have lost a great talent. I saw one of those biographies of him on TV yesterday.
Oh Chancy - what a fabulous memory to share with us - I never had the blessing to see him live - so true, a great voice silenced. I will go see the utube video now - thanks chancy.
What a lovely tribute, Chancy. My husband loved opera and could listen to Pavarotti for hours. You were so lucky to have heard him early on... and thanks for the nice comment on my friends new blog.
Well said, Chancy. I would love to have heard him in person. What a voice!
I wish I could have seen Pavarotti in person....we was amazing. What a nice memory you have of him. Bless his soul.
You are blessed, indeed. We've seen several YouTubes and still sit entranced. He was something, wasn't he?
My First Wife and I were just discussing how sometimes magnificence is followed by magnificence.
There was Caruso, followed by Mario Lanza, followed by Pavarotti followed by...
Paul Potts and Andrea Poccelli are excellent candidates. And of course, the other two tenors.
Very nice post.
Wonderful, Chancy! And wonderful of your friend to recommend it!
I had the pleasure of hearing him when The Three Tenors tour came to Cleveland a few years ago -- an incredible experience I will always treasure.
His talent has always taken my breath away.
Lovely tribute to remarkable talent. I am so happy you have such a memory...wonderful!
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