Luciano Pavarotti - Che Gelida Manina 1961 live (his debut!)

For Mr. Mooorhe, who requested =)
Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007) Born and died in Modena, Italy, Pavarotti was an Italian tenor who was known for his seemingly effortless high Cs during the early stage of his career.

In 1961, he made his professional debut at the Teatri di Reggio Emilia, in a production of La Boheme, replacing the great Giuseppe di Stefano, who was ill that night and already beginning the premature decline of his voice, as Rodolfo.

Here is the 'Che gelida manina' from that performance.

It's been a while since I've listened to Pavarotti's debut...when I dug this recording up today, I thought to myself, 'no way is the debut che gelida going to be that good'. Good grief, I was wrong. That Pavarotti debut rendition is almost as good as di Stefano's 'Che gelidas' in his prime!

I'm sure many in the audience that night thought the same. Listen to how they gasp and try to hold their applause after Pavarotti launches a perfect C on 'la speranza'. I bet they weren't expecting that...neither was I, even though I'd listened to it before.

What really amazes me is how pure his voice sounds. As he got older, he developed more ring to his voice, which was nice, but I still like his younger voice better. In that sense the debut 'che gelida' may be my favorite Pavarotti rendition of the aria.

Enjoy.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Luciano
• Pavarotti
• Italian
• tenor
• Giacomo
• Puccini
• la
• boheme
• che
• gelida
• manina
• opera
• rodolfo
• debut
• 1961
• live

[MikeDrewYT]

The gasps just blow my mind every time. They'd never heard anything in that realm before. It's a beautiful innocence and an amazing moment to have been captured. We're lucky this recording exists.

[manthasagittarius]

The reaction of the audience is almost funny. They didn't know what hit them, and how could they? The note is so brilliant, so free, it sounds like pure "Catch me, God!" but it's so perfectly sculpted and controlled at the same time.

[cubanbach]

@thecurefan777 Whatever, CureFan...you never met him or experienced what I did, on that sad day in 1978. And don't you know or remember how he intentionally upstaged Renata Scotto in La Gioconda in that same year in San Francisco during the curtain calls? That was a clear example of his arrogance which broke a lifelong friendship between them. They never spoke or sang together again. Some things never leave you.

[thecurefan777]

@cubanbach You are a Joke, you know? Destroy his Legacy, you could not touch it ever if you tried, you should not be here among us fans, even ruining our experience. Pavarotti was not a Hollywood star & never thought vainly, he died his hair, so what? He gave the real fans what they came to see, a man give his heart out musically, if only people devoted more time to giving they'd get his genius!!!what they get in return_I suggest you take up another hobby like watching movies-actors!

[0Gioacchino]

Thank you so much for this speciality and for this beautiful channel!

[mwright94coxnet]

Wow! Simply wow! The lyricism in the voice with such a broad base of support underneath. Truly one of the most unique voices ever. You are missed, Luciano.

[gallantentry]

Simply stunning. His voice will always be paramount in the operatic scene. I adore the man's voice. Thanks for sharing this magnificent rendition.

[cubanbach]

@cubanbach He was given a great and miraculous voice by God, but he became an ugly clown to me right until the end. In fact, he ridiculous dye hair and eyebrows were laughable. I do not want to destroy the man, or his legacy. I just want some truth to be known before he is crowned as a king among men. I have come to terms with my bitterness and thought it was a bit immature over the years...I just couldn't pardon how he treated a fan like me...I was so devoted to him...

[cubanbach]

@jgraif Just be honest, Graif, Pavarotti became arrogant quickly after he became famous. I will never forget how he treated me in 1978 after a Boheme in Miami. My voice was hoarse from screaming bravos at him. I waited in the cold rain for him & Freni to come out until 2 AM. But he asked his entourage WHO I WAS?..which he said in the most rude manner. I was an obstruction to his way to the car. I was really hurt deeply by this. I NEVER BOUGHT ANOTHER recording of his again. Ever.

[francescaemc2]

da morire quanto e' bello!!!

[babystinky]

Pavarotti was a school teacher (elementary) so this decided his fate.

[jgraif]

i would propose that audiences had, in fact, heard that kind of clarity before, from mario lanza. however, they chose to ignore it. just my opinion. this recording is nothing less than spectacular. pavarotti's voice is clean, clear and pitch-perfect. unfortunately, it supports my "beef" with the man. as his fame increased, he performed this and other arias more and more like exercises ("throw-aways"). yes, his voice changed over the years. why also his respect for the music?