|
Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti has
helped bring opera to the masses in the late 20th century. His records and
concert appearance, his commanding stage presence, lyrical interpretation
and bright vibrant delivery have brought him worldwide adulation.
And yet, by a curious twist of fate, it
was the masses which helped bring Pavarotti to opera - the masses of
people who make up the audience at the world’s premier song and dance
festival.
For it was while singing in front of a
multitudinous audience, in a giant marquee at Llangollen International
Musical Eisteddfod, far from his homeland, over 40 years ago, that an
event took place which was to play an important role in shaping his
destiny.
It was a significant moment which would
lead him eventually to a career in music (he was as at the time studying
to be an elementary school teacher).
A glittering, international career soon
beckoned, and he never looked back, except for the little town with a
festival that has for the last half century remained steadfast and true to
its own objective of bringing nations together through a shared love of
music.
 What
was it about Llangollen, about its International Musical Eisteddfod in
Particular, which so captivated the young Pavarotti that it was to play a
pivotal role in his life?
He had travelled to the festival as a
nineteen year old member of the Societa Corale Gioachino Rossini, a male
voice choir from his home town of Modena. Luciano was a member because his
father was a stalwart member of the chorus.
Unexpectedly, certainly from accounts
given by Pavarotti junior later, the choir won first prize in the male
choral competition. Its members, naturally were delighted as their
success. They had travelled a long way from Italy to be pan of this unique
festival, and they triumphed on wings of song.
The moment has stayed fresh with Luciano Pavarotti. The visit to
Llangollen left an indelible impression on him. He has spoken of the
marquee set in rolling green hills. He has recalled the sea of faces
watching and listening intently as the choir sang, the thunderous applause
which greeted their performance, the adjudication, and the way his spirit
soared when the choir was awarded first prize. A moment in time was etched
in the young singer’s mind.
And there was, of course, away from the
Eisteddfod field, the warmth of the Welsh welcome which so touched the
then unknown tenor’s heart that four decades later he would still
enquire earnestly about the lady in whose home he had been a guest.
 Together
with three other members of the Modena choir, Pavarotti had lodged for a
week with Alice Griffiths in the village of Froncysyllte, jus a few miles
from Llangollen. Pavarotti has spoken repeatedly and genuinely of his
desire to return to Llangollen one day. For Pavarotti - from unknown
chorister to top of the bill superstar - and for the International Musical
Eisteddfod which played a small but important part in nurturing that great
talent, the wheel will have come to a hill circle. David
Jones
Friday is usually the
day that attracts the least crowds of all at the Eisteddfod, but for some
reason this year was different. After the vocal competitions, the ground
started to fill up, and by midday was positively buzzing. This added extra
incentive for the Mixed Choirs and Chamber Choirs to sing to their best
for such a large crowd, but they all knew that the competitions were not
the main attraction.
The crowds gathered at the main entrance
from about two o'clock onwards, and they were still waiting three
hours later. Although this did provide an excellent chance for selling as
many T-shirts as possible, not everybody found the wait enjoyable.
Finally when the man himself arrived the
crowd soon forgot their frustration, and cheered so loudly that even the
drum that interrupts the vocal competitions every year could not be heard
(after all, aren’t all world famous personalities late!).
After fighting through the
adoring crowds outside and the adoring choirs inside the pavilion,
Pavarotti finally made it on stage to give this address to a packed
house: -
"40 years
ago, my God it seems to be just yesterday for me. I have done so many
things. I always say that to the journalists when they ask me what is a
day more memorable in my life, and I always say that it is when I won this
competition because it was with all my friends. With me at that time there
was a person that I would like to have the privilege to introduce: my
Father”.
To much applause, Fernando Pavarotti
walked on to join his son who stood at centre stage looking relaxed and
almost at home in an open necked red shirt and black suit.
"When we were here 40 years ago he
was my father, now I think he’s my son!” joked Luciano in reference to
the big difference in waist lines between the two of them.
This warm relationship was evident
throughout he day on Friday, the final rehearsal on Sunday, and also on
the stage of the concert itself when Luciano remarked:-
“He is stronger than me he has a voice
more brilliant than mine At least what he thinks.”
Many critics of Pavarotti were won over
by this combination of familiarity and musical excellence. The press
coverage was all in his favour, and a lot of the people who were sceptical
of having someone as big as Pavarotti at the Eisteddfod were won over even
before the Sunday Evening Concert (these were the people who could be seen
peeping over the hedges to get a look at the video wall!). Steven
Jones
“I remember well
the house I stayed in. All the way from Italy, I was exercising my
English. But when we are brought to the house in Llangollen and meet the
family, I understand not a word.
I did not know there was such a language as Welsh. Even now I think how
lucky they don’t write operas in such a language for me to sing. I would
be out of work. It is impossible for us Italians to learn.” -
Pavarotti recalling his week in Llangollen in 1955 with warm
Mediterranean affection.
|
