We adored Pavarotti, says Mimi
2007-09-07 11:29
Pretoria - About 50 years ago, when Luciano Pavarotti made his debut in the Vienna State Opera, Mimi Coertse shared the stage with the Italian tenor.
"He was tall, dark and handsome and had a divine voice," was how the international opera diva Coertse remembered that night.
"He was quite gorgeous and we all had a bit of a crush on him."
In 1963 Pavarotti and Coertse sang together in Puccini's La Bohème and they appeared together "two or three times" in later years.
"He was very loveable. And utterly professional of course."
Prominent figures in South African opera paid tribute to the deceased opera star on Thursday.
Pavarotti lost his battle against cancer of the pancreas on Thursday. He died at his house in Modena, Italy.
Temperamental artist
South African music promoter Hazel Feldman brought the Italian opera star to South Africa the first time in 1996. That performance was followed by appearances in 1999 and 2005.
"He was charming, emotional and he had an eye for a beautiful woman," she said.
Feldman said as with any temperamental artist he could quickly lose his temper "but in an instant and with a twinkle in his eye, things were alright again".
In 1996 former President Mandela was part of Pavarotti's South African audience.
"In 1999 Madiba was in the audience again, this time with President Thabo Mbeki," said Feldman.
In his final appearance here, in 2005 President Mbeki and his wife Zanele sat through his performance in pouring rain at Centurion Supersport Park.
Pouring rain
"He felt immensely honoured. It was pouring and he kept on singing and the crowd sat as if nailed to their seats."
South African tenor Given Mabena said it was every opera singer's dream to perform live with Pavarotti.
"He just had to say 'bravo'. Then you knew you were doing the right thing," he told SABC radio news.
Mabena performed with Pavarotti in 2005.