Nikio

Today I am deeply moved by death of Luciano Pavarotti, one of the greatest tenors of all time. I was privileged to meet him on Histria Festival in Pula, on 3th of July 2004. I was there as a photographer. They took us with a boat from Fažana to Brijuni islands where the press conference was performed. He was a bit late to the event, but about two minutes before he entered the room, there was already an electricity in the air. People had beacome nervous in anticipation and when he finally came, the whole room bursted in a loud and warm applause. He just smiled and waved his hand.
After the brief statement of Bashkim Shehu, the director of festival and a very noble man from Pula, Pavarotti got to speak. He told us that he's very happy to perform in such fabolous city, especially in the Arena, roman theatre in Pula.
Then the members of the press started to ask questions. Let's be honest, a few of them were totally off topic and even stupid (as it is allways like that on such events), but he never lost his nerves and remained a true gentleman in the best possible way. He was just kindly smiling. After 15 or 20 minutes his managers told that it was enough and we should stop. But Pavarotti just couldn't. He was there for us. It was like he was in pain to leave the conference so he managed to negotiate one last question with his staff. And here's where I came into place. I lifted my arm really high and he looked at me so kindly, almost like he was my father, and said something like that (I was too excited at that time to remember the exact words): "Well young boy, what would you like to know." So I asked him about his repertoare for the concert which included a vast part of Puccini's La Bohemme (Che gelida manina, Si, mi chiamano Mimi and O soave fanciulla, performed with Carmella Remigio, Itallian soprano, fabolous voice!). My question was targeting his first performance in early 60', when he debuted with this exact role. Is there any special connection to it? What is his relationship with Rodolfo after many years?
His reaction was exceptionally warm, like he was overwhelmed by the fact that I actually did some homework about his career (well, I was doing it since I was 12... don't ask, I was a strange kid). He explained to me that he was a young passionate boy at that time ("much like you", he said) , trying to make it in the big world. Rodolfo is exactly that kind of role. So everytime he sings Rodolfo, he is reminded on that times, which were hard, but carried all the romantic things of youth. I was moved!
Then it was really time to end. Some of us attempted to get an autograph, but he was tightly surrounded by his mannagers and bodyguards, so it was impossible.

The next day, on my birthday, he performed a marvelous concert. Eventhough his voice wasn't exactly like we remember from his best times (due to age and illness), the charisma was enormous!

There is are reasons why we think of him as the greatest, but most of them go beyond music!

Anyways - today I wanted to share this with you, because the occasion feels right.