Two articles regarding 67 year old Pavarotti's Los Angeles performance.
We must enjoy him while we can.
(1) L.A. Opera benefit raises nearly $1 million
(2) Grazie, Signore Pavarotti
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L.A. OPERA BENEFIT RAISES NEARLY $1 MILLION
Los Angeles Times
By Ann Conway
Times Staff Writer
March 13,  2003

Score a slam-dunk for the lorgnette set: A benefit concert by legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti at Staples Center made close to $1 million for Los Angeles Opera.

Attended by 10,000 opera buffs -- including members of the superstar's Tokyo fan club, a smattering of celebs, and 5-year-old twins who were attending their second Pavarotti concert -- the Tuesday night sellout marked what may be the final L.A performance by the 67-year-old singer.

Even razor-tongued comedian Don Rickles gushed. "Pavarotti's the greatest! Except I get tired with the ovations -- too much standing," he said.

Along with Michael Caine, Barbara Sinatra, Dustin Hoffman and Jackie Collins, Rickles was among the 500 guests enjoying the $750-per-ticket premium package: a dinner in the sports center's tony Arena Club, primo orchestra seating and a dessert reception with Pavarotti....

...Frank Sinatra's widow laughed as she recounted her favorite Pavarotti/Sinatra story. "Frank was opening at Radio City Music Hall and Pavarotti, who could barely speak English, called, wanting to see him perform. Afterward, Pavarotti said he wanted to go backstage," Sinatra said. "So Frank came out from his dressing room and Pavarotti dropped to his knees and kissed his ring! He asked Frank if there was anything he could do for him and Frank said he needed help with how to end a song. Pavarotti told him, 'Attsa easy! You just shudda uppa your mouth!' "...

Los Angeles Times: L.A. Opera benefit raises nearly $1 million
http://www.calendarlive.com/music/cl-wk-conway13mar13,0,2955803.story

SOCIAL CLIMES
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GRAZIE, SIGNORE PAVAROTTI

He deserves thanks for helping L.A. opera, but his voice pays.

Los Angeles Times
By Mark Swed,
Times Staff Writer
March 13 2003

Luciano Pavarotti appeared at Staples Center on Tuesday to sing before a crowd of 10,286. All the seats the arena put up for sale were sold -- ... It was a benefit for Los Angeles Opera...ticket prices were high (a top of $750 for a special package) and the evidently substantial proceeds will be available to help make some of the ambitious plans for opera in L.A. come to pass.

For this, fans have one more reason to thank Pavarotti, an opera singer who very well may have given more pleasure to more people than any in history. I am one of those grateful fans, having been overwhelmed by the tenor at his San Francisco Opera debut more than 30 years ago.

But there has always been an element of the quizzical about Pavarotti, and I think part of the tremendous Pavarotti appeal was just how effectively he could turn that quizzical into charm.

Here, after all, was a quite fat man who became a sex symbol. Here was a singer with an ego as wide as his waist. He never even tried to convince you he was portraying a character other than Pavarotti. But when he stood there and effortlessly poured forth those ringing high notes, threw his arms out wide in triumph, flashed an irresistible smile brighter than any stage lights and then surreptitiously tried to pinch a nearby soprano, you knew you were in the presence of world-class charisma.

Seeing and hearing Pavarotti at 67 can still evoke memories of those glory days when he was dubbed King of the High Cs. [Despite his stirring performance, he is however showing his age]...  His beard and long hair are the glossy jet black of a 20-year-old or of buffed patent leather shoes, but he moves now with effort, gingerly walking on and off stage holding on to the conductor. When he sings, he's next to a stand with a cushioned armrest for support...

The program featured the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra. It was conducted by a Pavarotti functionary, Leone Magiera. And the tenor alternated with soprano Cynthia Lawrence in a not insubstantial program of operatic excerpts, if heavily weighted toward Puccini and other Italian verismo composers....

But tellingly, his most effective moment all evening was "Vesti la giubba" from Leoncavallo's "I Pagliacci," which the tenor sang as if consumed by the pain of the clown who must go on, who must laugh through the tears...

Los Angeles Times: Grazie, Signore Pavarotti
http://www.calendarlive.com/music/cl-wk-swed13mar13.story
OPERA REVIEW