R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Opera star Luciano Pavarotti's health has worsened and he is in a "very serious" condition, Italian media say.

Pavarotti, 71, has been suffering from pancreatic cancer and was released from hospital on 25 August after a series of tests were carried out.

He is now being treated at home in the northern city of Modena surrounded by family and friends.

Pavarotti had surgery for the cancer in July 2006 in New York and has not made any public appearances since then.

Tour

This week it was announced Pavarotti was to receive a prize from the Italian government for his work promoting the country's culture.

He is the first person to receive the award.

"This prize fills me with joy and pride," Italy's Ansa news agency had quoted Pavarotti as saying.

He had been admitted to hospital in Modena on 8 August with a fever. He was released two weeks later after diagnostic tests.

Despite hopes that he would be able to resume his farewell tour this year, his health has not allowed him to return to the stage.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the singer developed respiratory problems during the summer while on holiday at his villa on the Adriatic coast.

The tenor has undergone five bouts of chemotherapy since his cancer surgery last year, says our correspondent.

Pavarotti last sang in public in Italy at the beginning of 2006, when he performed his signature Puccini aria Nessun Dorma at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Turin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6980686.stm

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Very sad news.

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1282954,00.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6981032.stm

AndyAndy2 · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:21 am Post subject:

My goodness - just seen this on the beebs site.

Very Sad, such a nice man.

i remember when Nessun Dorma was the 'in' song, largely due to the olympics and we all seemed to go mad for classical music.

Even Gary Davis lates show used to have a classical slot.

Rest in peace, thanks for sharing your great voice.
_________________
Some say he once threw a microwave oven at a tramp and that all his potted plants are called 'Steve'.....all we know is, he's called 'The Stig!'.

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:32 am Post subject:

A musical giant in every sense of the word.
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

gfloyd · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:40 am Post subject:

AndyAndy2 · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 8:39 am Post subject:

oops, thanks gfloyd you're right.
_________________
Some say he once threw a microwave oven at a tramp and that all his potted plants are called 'Steve'.....all we know is, he's called 'The Stig!'.

Toggy tea slurper · Guest

I knew he was ill of course but it was still shock to hear the news this morning. An absolutely wonderful voice that never failed to move me.

It's of very little consolation I know but he is at peace and free from pain now.

Here is Luciano at his very best

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TvLtEHONp3Y

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2uYrmYXsujI&mode=related&search=

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ONUCPKdGcrk&mode=related&search=[/url]

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

Pavarotti made a great impression on our family around 1990 when my son was getting into football, so then it wasn't just me listening to Pavarotti, and our CD and video collection swelled as a result.

He was a geat singer, and he was a musical sensation at the level of Gigli and Caruso in terms of worldwide influence. I can't say technically how his voice rates against Gigli and Caruso, but I do hear a real clarity in his voice that I don't hear in other present-day tenors.

I guess Pavarotti played a part in the creation of ClassicFM, or creating it's market, but that did little for Radio 3 Smile

Thank you Luciano for bringing more music to the world.

John W

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

Likewise my family choose some of his music to feature at my father's funeral not so long ago.

Certainly a larger than life character in many ways-his music will long remain in the memory.

RIP

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

I think it worth mentioning that Richard Allinson paid a very nice tribute to this great man in one of his BBS Shows last week-not only did he feature/play some of his songs he advise us listeners of some very interesting info about Pavarotti's requirements when he was touring-fascinating stuff.

Fine work Mr Allinson.

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Luciano Pavarotti has made a posthumous comeback to the UK singles chart, nearly 15 years after his last hit.

Download sales of Nessun Dorma saw the track rise to number 24, following the tenor's death on Thursday.

The track made number two in 1990 after being used as the BBC's theme to its coverage of the World Cup in Italy.

Teenage singer Sean Kingston stayed at number one with Beautiful Girls, while Hard-Fi's Once Upon A Time In The West entered the album chart at the top.

Pavarotti also enjoyed two number one albums - the Essential Pavarotti in 1990 and 1991 - but his last success in the singles chart was in October 1992, when Miserere made number 15.

TOP FIVE SINGLES
Sean Kingston
1) Beautiful Girls
- Sean Kingston (above)
2) Hey There Delilah
- Plain White T's
3) Stronger
- Kanye West
4) 1973
- James Blunt
5) Sexy! No No No
- Girls Aloud
Source:
Official UK Charts Company
Thousands of people gathered in the 71-year-old's home city of Modena, northern Italy, for his funeral on Saturday. The service culminated in a recording of Nessun Dorma and a fly-past by the Italian air force.

Girls Aloud entered the top 10 at number five with Sexy! No No No, while Elvis Presley re-release (Let Me Be Your) Teddybear came into the chart at number 14, its first appearance since 1957.

A week ago Hound Dog re-entered the chart at the same position, but has now dropped out again.

Sean Kingston also has a top 10 album to celebrate, with his self-titled release entering the chart at number eight.

US rock band Plain White T's made their UK album chart debut at number three with Every Second Count, while south-east London's Athlete entered at number five with their third album, Beyond The Neighbourhood.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6986277.stm