“Big Luciano” was beloved for both his talent and for spreading across the globe an image of Italian style and flair.
MILAN, Italy – Hundreds of people gathered Thursday night in Modena’s main piazza to pay final respects to Luciano Pavarotti, whose vibrant high C’s and ebullient showmanship made him the most beloved and celebrated tenor since Caruso.
The crowd applauded in a sign of respect as pallbearers carried the casket into Modena’s cathedral, where a funeral is scheduled for Saturday. The tenor died early Thursday at the age of 71 after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.
While Pavarotti moved the world with what one admirer called “the last, great voice” of Italian opera, his legacy went beyond the opera house. The tenor collaborated with classical singers and pop icons alike to bring opera to the masses, rescuing the art from highbrow obscurity in the process.