Luciano Pavarotti
A baker's son who sold insurance while studying voice; nine high Cs made him a phenomenon.
Luciano Pavarotti was born in 1935 in Modena, Italy. Luciano Pavarotti's background is described as Italian, from Emilia-Romagna. Growing up, the family was working class — his father was a baker with a fine tenor voice and paralyzing stage fright; his mother worked in a cigar factory. A baker's son who sold insurance while studying voice; nine high Cs made him a phenomenon.
- Born
- 1935 · Modena, Italy
- Roots
- Italian, from Emilia-Romagna
- Family
- Working class
- His father was a baker with a fine tenor voice and paralyzing stage fright; his mother worked in a cigar factory.
- Education
- Teacher training; two years as an elementary schoolteacher
- Started with
- A baker's records
- His father filled the house with opera recordings; seven years of voice study earned him nothing at all.
- Affiliations & societies
- None documented.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1955 · age 19Choir gold in Wales
Travels with his father in Modena's male choir to the Llangollen Eisteddfod; the win convinces him to sing.
- 1961 · age 25Competition win, stage debut
Rodolfo in La Bohème after years of teaching school and selling insurance to fund lessons.
- 1966 · age 30Nine high Cs
La Fille du Régiment at La Scala; the nickname 'King of the High Cs' follows him to the Met.
- 1972 · age 36Seventeen curtain calls
The Met performance that fixes his American fame.
- 1990 · age 54The Three Tenors
The Rome World Cup concert; its album becomes the best-selling classical record in history.
- 2007 · age 71Dies in Modena
His funeral is broadcast live; the Frecce Tricolori fly over.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Luciano Pavarotti from?
Luciano Pavarotti was born in 1935 in Modena, Italy. Their background is described as Italian, from Emilia-Romagna.
When was Luciano Pavarotti born?
Luciano Pavarotti was born in 1935, in Modena, Italy.
What is Luciano Pavarotti's background or ethnicity?
Luciano Pavarotti's roots are described as Italian, from Emilia-Romagna. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Luciano Pavarotti go to school?
Luciano Pavarotti's education: Teacher training; two years as an elementary schoolteacher.
What was Luciano Pavarotti's family background growing up?
At birth the family was working class. His father was a baker with a fine tenor voice and paralyzing stage fright; his mother worked in a cigar factory.
How did Luciano Pavarotti get started?
Luciano Pavarotti started with a baker's records. His father filled the house with opera recordings; seven years of voice study earned him nothing at all.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.