Huge concerts of Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007)

Luciano Pavarotti's 1992 concert in London’s Hyde Park, in the presence of Charles and Diana, the Prince and Princess of Wales, was the first classical concert in the history of the park and drew some 150,000 people

In June 1993, more than 500,000 fans gathered to enjoy Luciano Pavarotti's performance in New York’s Central Park. That September, he sang in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower in Paris to a further 300,000 fans.

While many in the classical world criticised the outdoor concerts as mere stunts, Luciano Pavarotti's defenders said he was doing a valuable job in popularising opera - and letting large numbers hear one of history’s great voices.

There were also grumbles about Luciano Pavarotti's duets with pop stars like Sting, Bono and Bryan Adams.

But Pavarotti was also dedicated to the development of young singers, conducting standing-room-only master classes at conservatories around the world.

In March 2004, Luciano Pavarotti gave his final performance in an opera in Puccini’s Tosca in New York, where he received a 11-minute standing ovation.

Later that year, Luciano Pavarotti announced he would begin a 40-city farewell tour in 2005 before “taking his leave”.

Ill-health wreaked havoc on Luciano Pavarotti's schedule, however, with many concerts cancelled or postponed as Luciano Pavarotti battled back problems, laryngitis and a throat infection and Luciano Pavarotti counted his last breath in October 2007.

source: bbc.co.in