Opera Chic Exclusive: Juan Diego Florez On Pavarotti's Death

(for constant updates on the tributes for Pavarotti coming from all over the world, scroll down or click here)

It is with the deepest, most heartfelt thanks to Juan Diego Florez and maestro Ernesto Palacio that Opera Chic publishes JDF's thoughts on his friend and mentor's Luciano Pavarotti's passing.

Translation from Spanish by operachic.typepad.com

"Luciano Pavarotti's death fills me deeply with sadness. I received the news from his assistant, my compatriot Edwin Tinoco, a few minutes after the fact. I had met Pavarotti on July 31, in his Pesaro home, the last time he ever hosted a dinner party, because shortly thereafter he got hospitalised in Modena. I called him at the hospital and he told me to come visit him with my wife, who had impressed him much. I told him yes, we would come, but unfortunately it wasn't possible."

"Luciano Pavarotti has always been my idol and when il Maestro named me as his successor I received the news with much pride but also with great responsiibility. Responsibility that is now even greater, I hope to be up to the task. An immense personality has left us, he will always be remembered as a giant of opera, and those of us who have met him in person have appreciated his frankness, his wit, his love for music, his wise but simple mode of seeing things, his sweetness, his generosity; his abscence will be truly difficult to overcome."

And truly now that the King is gone, the young Prince must feel even more the weight of the responsibility.

Comments

[amneris]

Beautifully spoken, Mr. Florez. If anyone is worthy of wearing the late, great Pav's mantle, is certainly is JDF. With his beautiful voice, stylish phrasing, and impeccable muscianship, he promises to be one of the musical greats of our time.

[A.]

Opera Chic, your unending and up-to-date by the minute opera news coverage always amazes me! i was late in hearing about pav's passing but have now rightly joined the many who are grieving deeply. the first time i ever heard pav was in a really old video of la traviata. oh the memories. anyway, i've moved to a new webby address in case you were even in the slightest bit curious where i've gone to all these months. the opera season here in paris just started so i'm looking forward to replenishing my summer deficiency. :-)

XX
A.

[Dr. Ilya Sandra Perlingieri]

I had the great priviledge of meeting Luciano for the first time in the mid-1970s when he came to San Diego to give his first recital. The theater was half empty, but it did not matter to those of us who heard his magnificent voice. After his performance and despite the hour, Luciano and I talked about opera for an hour and a half. He was kind, charming, and unaffected.
Then there were other visits after his Met performances of Lucia and Tosca. The magic of his voice transcended all else. His performance of Verdi's "Requiem" with the Los Angeles Philharmonic with Zubin Mehta was transcendant...with nary a dry eye in the concert hall.
We live at a time of horrific violence and immense cruelty...but Luciano's gifts of music, compassion, and generosity transcended countries and cultures. His presence eased the trauma of these tragic times. His voice was angelic and now he can sing eternally with them.