With his many appearances not only on the greatest international opera and concert stages, but also on television, in movies and in arena concerts, Luciano Pavarotti's impact on the world of music has been enormous, broadening the horizons of classical music and bringing untold numbers of new fans to his art. His thrilling tenor voice and unique personality have touched countless audiences throughout the world, and he has become the personification of opera on television and recordings in our time.

His recordings, each and every one, are best sellers, his frequent television appearances have added to his musical renown, and combined with his other interests including painting, tennis, and horsemanship, among others, have made his name a household word.

He was born in Modena, Italy, on October 12, 1935, the first child and only son of a baker. As a boy, sports occupied much of his time. In fact, he earned his first local fame as a member of the town's soccer team, excelling at the game he has followed passionately ever since. He first sang in the Modena chorus with his father, a fervent lover of opera and gifted amateur tenor. When the chorus won first prize in an international competition, the youngster was hooked. His debut came on April 29, 1961, as Rodolfo in La bohème, at the opera house in Reggio Emilia.

That success led to engagements throughout Italy and the world, where he conquered audiences in Amsterdam, Vienna, Zürich, and London.

His American debut came in February 1965, in a Miami production of Lucia di Lammermoor with Joan Sutherland, the beginning of what would become their historic partnership. Debuts in La bohème, at La Scala, San Francisco, and New York won the hearts of fans around the world. But it wasn't until February 17, 1972, that the Pavarotti phenomenon was born, in a production of La Fille du Regiment at New York's Metropolitan Opera. Responding to Pavarotti's aria containing nine effortless high Cs, the audience erupted in a frenzied ovation, and the young tenor's reputation soared into the stratosphere.

Long associated with London/Decca Records, his recordings are consistent best sellers, and include collections of arias and recital programs, a live concert from Carnegie Hall, and anthologies of Neapolitan and other Italian songs. His frequent television appearances in performance as well as in documentaries and on talk shows continue to add to his musical renown.

His performance as Rodolfo thrilled America in the first "Live from the Met" telecast in March 1977, which attracted one of the largest audiences ever for a televised opera. From that same stage, he and Plácido Domingo celebrated their 25th anniversaries together with an Opening Night Gala performance in the fall of 1993. He consistently draws record-breaking audiences to sold-out arena concerts in many countries and shares his music with huge audiences in the great public parks of the world.

His televised concert in London's Hyde Park, in the presence of Charles and Diana, the Prince and Princess of Wales, was the first concert in the history of the park featuring classical music and drew a record attendance of some 150,000 people. In June 1993, more than 500,000 fans gathered to enjoy his performance on the Great Lawn of New York's Central Park, while millions more around the world watched on television.

The following September, singing in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, he thrilled the hearts of an estimated 300,000 Parisian music lovers. Maestro Pavarotti is also dedicated to the development of the careers of young singers, and conducts standing-room-only master classes at conservatories around the world. In 1982, he initiated an ongoing international vocal competition culminating with prestigious final performances in Philadelphia.

The second competition in 1986 coincided with the 25th Anniversary of his career. To celebrate, he brought the winners of that competition to Italy for gala performances of La bohème in Modena and in Genoa that resulted in his historic visit to China, chronicled in the film Distant Harmony.

Illuminated by his radiant personality and propelled by his zest for life, Luciano Pavarotti's golden voice transcends the walls of the opera house to reach inside every human heart and mind...