Silencing a Voice

I don’t often follow celebrities…  though I have a few favorites.

And one of those died today in Italy.

Luciano Pavarotti was the first BIG NAME I ever saw “live” in concert in Portland Oregon, thanks to my in-laws many many years ago.  At the time, stidkid#1 was a toddler and we asked a dear friend to go with us to Portland to kid-sit him so we could go to the concert.  Luckily for us, she agreed (Nino, if you’re reading this, THANK YOU once again).

Well, we sat pretty much behind the stage, and up a ways, in the “affordable” seats.  A measure of the man’s showmanship and graciousness is that he acknowledged even our section (unlike the soprano who was singing with him who was obviously very much impressed with herself).  He smiled, and bowed, and waved to us just as much as he did the rest of the very big crowd.

And, though the venue was not the best for a talent like his, still it was a heavenly evening.

I hope, whatever happens after death, that his lovely voice will continue to fill the heavens (and the airwaves).

Mille grazie, signore.  Sogni d’oro.