home > browse > news > view article

Luciano Pavarotti: Documenting his legacy

  Tobias

Secondly, there is the double CD of Verdi’s opera “Luisa Miller” (Arts Music), conducted by Peter Maag and with Luciano Pavarotti in the role of Rodolfo. Taped in 1974, the live recording captures Pavarotti in his prime and amidst a cast of equals. It is also a most interesting collector’s item: Interestingly enough, “Luisa Miller” is conspicuously absent from “Pavarotti Forever”, even though it is an absolute joy listening to Rodolfo’s moments of glory, such as “Quando le sere al placido”. What’s more, “Lusia Miller”’s release is a total coincidence and actually comes rather as part of Art’s “Collection Maag” than as a calculated move to cash in on this treasure from their archives. Which only proves that despite his inability to perform to the full of his abilities over the last years, Luciano Pavarotti has never really been absent from the world of music.

This is, regrettably, also true for the tabloids. With Pavarotti funeral items for sale, his daughters contesting his American will and a bizarre debate raging about whether or not it was right granting him a Catholic funeral, the music has recently been badly overshadowed. This is why releases like “Pavarotti Forever” or “Luisa Miller” should be greeted as a return to what this man was all about.

Homepage: Luciano Pavarotti
Homepage: Pavarotti Forever
Homepage: Decca Classics
Homepage: Arts Records