The first thing Mom heard this morning was that Luciano Pawvarotti had died. She loved his voice and we got to listen to him many many times while she was busy working. So we are sad that amazing voice has been silenced.
But we have our CDs and DVDs -- and YouTube has some wonderful clips of his older performances.
Years ago -- before we were born -- Pawvarotti played Cavaradossi in Tosca at the opera in Miami. After the performance, Mom stood in line to get his autograph and he spoke to her. He asked, "How are you?" And, not knowing what to say at such a moment, Mom could only blurt out, "Happy, now that I've heard you sing!" Then she scolded herself all the way home for not thinking of something more memorable!
He was still wearing his make-up from the opera, but had on a blue and white long-sleeved shirt with a white collar which looked so out of place with the role he had just played and the dramatic make-up.
But it was a cherished moment.
Years later -- just to show Mom's eclectic tastes -- that moment was rivaled when she and Dogdad stood in line at Busch Stadium in St. Louis to have Yogi Berra -- a St. Louis boy, even though a Yankee!! -- sign his book, When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It!! That was more of a fun moment, and she did joke with Yogi that the only other time she had stood in line for an autograph was for another Italian star -- Luciano Pavarotti.
Just Harry -- who is more of a tenor that I am -- has a bad case of Lauren's Gitis from his barking over the weekend, or he would woof the melody from one of Mom's favorite arias to make her feel better. My woofs are kind of gruff, so I'll just have to resort to sitting on her feet while she works.
Jake
11 comments:
That is sad, he had an amazing voice.
Simba x
Véronique is also sad.... he was the best tenor ever...
Condolences to your mom. My mom is sad too, but at least now she won't be mortified when she sings along. I keep trying to tell her that tenor voices are male, but she won't listen to me!
I'm so glad you did this post. He has such a wonderful voice. I was stunned to hear he'd died, just wish I'd done sort of tribute.
Loved hearing him sing as part of the 3 Tenors too
Blue
x
Mistress has not seen any famous tenors but she got a ticket to see Joan Sutherland. And for the first time in her life she had to cancel.
Mistress was not pleased. It was Lucia di lammormoor for which Joan S was particularly famed.Pippa
Sad news, even though I'm not a huge opera fan. I'm more into stuff like the Beatle Barkers, where I can join in! J x
Hey guys!
It is very sad. He was such a FORCE of nature and will be dearly missed! Give some extra lovin' to your mama ~ she needs the comfort.
Your mama has had brushes with 2 great Italians. Any other Italians on her list to meet?
I hope Just Harry's Lauren Gitis goes away so he can croon for your mama!
Goober love,
Stanley
Just had to do a post!
Blue
x
What your Mom said sounded pretty good to us. We believe what comes from the heart is usually more impressive than words those honey coated words that many think are memorable.
MyPawents saw him many times and loved him..even got sopping wet on the lawn at Centwal Pawk one yeaw..he kept singing even though thewe were towwential wains..and the audience kept staying..it was a chewished evening..his voice , will still be heawd a lot in ouw house. a Dio Maestro! et Gracie
smoochie kisses
Asta
(I think I'm a mezzo)
We were sad to hear of his passing, too. My mom's late mother loved to listen to him sing.
Your mom's answer to him was great! (My mom would have said something really stupid, like "Good".)
What a wonderful moment!
I bet Yogi was fun!
Koobuss Kisses,
Koobie
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