Luciano Pavarotti Was a Pipesmoker
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Yep - great picture of him online. There's also a really good article on him from the mid-90s which talks about his pipe. I like the pipe he's smoking in the pic and would like to track one down.
Andy
Andy
His massive size, though hard on his health, increased the nuance and power of his voice,
it seemed. But the element that made him an immortal in opera was the magnitude of his
joy in performing. He convinced his audience that there was nothing else he would rather
be doing with those hours of his life than appearing before them. It was moving just to see
him. I think the tobacco pipe was a good choice in terms of being least hard on his vocal
cords, since he was going to enjoy life with immensity no matter what.
it seemed. But the element that made him an immortal in opera was the magnitude of his
joy in performing. He convinced his audience that there was nothing else he would rather
be doing with those hours of his life than appearing before them. It was moving just to see
him. I think the tobacco pipe was a good choice in terms of being least hard on his vocal
cords, since he was going to enjoy life with immensity no matter what.
I remember going to see him perform as part of the 3 Tennors in what used to be Skydome in Toronto (now Roger's Center I think?)...I was in the nose bleeds but it was still a great performance.
I heard an interview with him in which he described his education. His father, a singer, decided that Luciano should also become an opera singer. "My father was a diva," he said. But his father decided that his son needed further education. So he sent him to a very successful tenor. Luciano described how that teacher taught him to make a small hole in his throat and "shoot" the sound through. That was how he got his famous sound. I guess it pays to give special attention to your children's education, not just write a check.
Parents sometimes convince their children that they are already who they later become. General MacArthur
and Norman Mailer both had moms who doted on them with unending intensity and fanned the fires of
their egos. Picasso's dad surrendered his own career in painting to shower attention and expectations
on his son. This behavior doesn't always improve the person (at least in these three cases, probably not)
but sometimes drives their talent and ambition. In Pavarotti's case, despite the vast waves of adulation he
confronted at most performances, he remained a somewhat affable and sociable human being, at least to
some degree. I think it is the confidence instilled in a young person, that then radiates to those in the
chosen profession, that makes them stand out and generates unusual and continuing opportunities. So
much depends on the often irrational conviction that you can do the unprecedented work.
and Norman Mailer both had moms who doted on them with unending intensity and fanned the fires of
their egos. Picasso's dad surrendered his own career in painting to shower attention and expectations
on his son. This behavior doesn't always improve the person (at least in these three cases, probably not)
but sometimes drives their talent and ambition. In Pavarotti's case, despite the vast waves of adulation he
confronted at most performances, he remained a somewhat affable and sociable human being, at least to
some degree. I think it is the confidence instilled in a young person, that then radiates to those in the
chosen profession, that makes them stand out and generates unusual and continuing opportunities. So
much depends on the often irrational conviction that you can do the unprecedented work.
You can also read an interesting note about it at the end of this article:
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipesmoke/the-italian-renaissance/
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipesmoke/the-italian-renaissance/
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