Luciano Pavarotti's Kevo

Perhaps the most recognizable opera singer in the world, Luciano Pavarotti has been performing professionally for almost 40 years. Pavarotti worked as an elementary school teacher and an insurance salesman before making his professional singing debut in 1961. For his performance as Rodolfo in the opera La Bohème, the singer quickly gained acclaim for his marvelous voice.

After touring and performing in various operas throughout Europe, Pavarotti journeyed across the Atlantic to make his US debut in the 1965 production of Lucia di Lammermoor in Miami, Florida. Again, word of his singing quickly spread, and the name Pavarotti soon became synonymous with opera. He began his recording career with the 1977 release of O Holy Night, the first of his many successful albums. Noticing a lack of new opera singers, the "King of High C's" - as he is known for his singing of nine high C's in succession during a performance of La Fille du Regiment - created the Luciano Pavarotti Vocal Competition to encourage up-and-comers to continue on the tradition.

His popularity continued to rise during the 1980s and 1990s, most notably when he got together to record with other noted opera singers Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras under the name the Three Tenors. The trio released a hugely successful album and played to sold out performances around the world. One such concert, in 1994, was broadcast worldwide to an estimated television audience of 1.3 billion people. Although he continues to release albums and perform, Pavarotti has been in the news the last few years mostly for the affair he had with his secretary, Nicoletta Mantovani. Pavarotti had previously been married for 35 years to Adua Veroni, the mother of his three children.

Still going strong, the Grammy-winning artist has announced that he will retire from singing in the year 2001, marking his 40th year of performing. Instead he will concentrate on his other passion, painting.
Climb to Fame
Opera singer known especially for his work as one of the Three Tenors
Work History
(1999) Releases the album For Guatemala & Kosovo.

(1994) With the Three Tenors, has their Los Angeles show televised around the world to an estimated audience of 1.3 billion people.

(1993) Performs in front of an estimated 500,000 people in Central Park during a performance.

(1992) Opens an art show of his paintings at the Meridian House in Washington, DC.

(1990) With singers Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo, performs together for the first time as The Three Tenors.

(1986) Travels to Bejing, China to perform La Boheme. The show is broadcast to an estimated 250 million people in China.

(1982) Creates the Luciano Pavarotti Vocal Competition.

(1977) Becomes the first classical artist to have a platinum album for his release of O Holy Night.

(1972) During a performance of La Fille du Regiment, he sings nine high C notes in succession.

(1968) Reprises his role of Rodolfo in a performance of La Boheme at New York's Metropolitan Opera House.

(1965) Makes his US debut in a production of Lucia di Lammermoor in Miami, Florida.

(1961) Makes his professional singing debut as Rodolfo in the opera La Boheme at the Reggio Emilia.

(1950s) Works as an insurance salesman and an elementary school teacher. Also plays soccer on his hometown's team.
Awards
Luciano Pavarotti has also won numerous Awards