José Carreras Retires From Opera

Stupendous soprano had 'voice of the century'

(NEWSER) - Joan Sutherland, the soprano Luciano Pavarotti once called "the voice of the century," has died at her home in Switzerland at age 83. The Australian-born singer—known as "La Stupenda" or "The Stupendous One" to opera audiences—became one of the most celebrated opera singers of all time thanks to her warm, vibrant sound and ability to sing evenly over an astonishing range, the AP notes. More»

Apparent Soloist knockoff actually from 1999, where it should stay

(NEWSER) - Harlem Aria hit the festival circuit in 1999, and contemporary critics are baffled by the timing of the release of the uneven story of a developmentally disabled young black man with a heart and voice of gold:

• The performances and William Jennings' direction are "no more than adequate," V.A. Musetto writes in the New York Post , and Jennings' script is "laughably inadequate." Furthermore, "Congress should look into" the fact that the film is being released now.

Late tenor too sick to sing live at Turin Olympics opening ceremony

(NEWSER) - Lipsynching isn't just for neophytes like Nikki Hilton—none other than tenor Luciano Pavarotti faked his way through his final public performance at the opening of the Turin Winter Olympics, the Guardian reports. In a new book, Pavarotti's conductor and pianist claims that he recorded the cancer-stricken tenor and the orchestra, and used video trickery to pull the ruse off before millions of TV viewers. More»

Brilliant but erratic tenor succumbed to injuries from 2004 attack

(NEWSER) - Giuseppe di Stefano, the tenor whose short but brilliant career made him an operatic legend, died yesterday at his home near Milan. He was 86. His widow told reporters his death resulted from head injuries dating to 2004, when robbers in Kenya left him temporarily comatose. Di Stefano's superb voice earned comparisons to Enrico Caruso, but his temperament and personal conduct cut short his career, the LA Times reports. More»

Pavarotti had blend of talent, self-confidence to hit hard note

(NEWSER) - Pavarotti’s obits called him “King of the High C’s,” a nickname he earned for hitting a note that many tenors have to fake in falsetto. “It’s the absolute summit of technique,” says a coach. “More than anywhere else in your voice, you have to know what you’re doing.” The alluring note has made and ended operatic careers, and even helped drive one star to suicide, the New York Times reports. More»