The Errant Æsthete

MODENA, Italy - Luciano Pavarotti the Italian singer whose ringing, pristine sound set a standard for operatic tenors of the postwar era, died early this morning at his home in Modena, in northern Italy. He was 71.

Although his health had been failing for a year, the death of the bearded tenor, known as “Big Luciano” because of his 280 lb bulk, saddened everyone from impresarios and critics to fans who could barely afford tickets.

“There were tenors, and then there was Pavarotti,” said Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli.

NYTimes
Reuters