'A friend and rival'
2007-09-07 11:29
Los Angeles - Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti both made their debut at New York's Metropolitan Opera in 1968 and rose to become two of the world's most recognisable tenors.
While often perceived as competitors in the opera world, they were instead close friends whose rivalry made them both better men and better artists, the Spanish-born Domingo said Thursday.
"I think the career of Luciano was bigger because I was there as his friendly rival, and I think my career is bigger because he was there also as a friendly rival," a somber Domingo told a news conference.
As director of the Los Angeles Opera, Domingo was in the middle of rehearsals late Wednesday when he heard Pavarotti had died in Italy at age 71.
Domingo said he spoke regularly with Pavarotti during the past year as the Italian tenor battled pancreatic cancer. During their last conversation eight days ago, Pavarotti was cheerful and vibrant, even giving lessons to young singers.
Christmas album planned
"I could hear singing in the back," Domingo said. "He told me he was trying to prepare a religious album for Christmas."
As partners, they sang together with Jose Carreras in the hugely successful "Three Tenors" concerts that were seen by millions of people worldwide.
"Because of the 'Three Tenors,' many, many people have really discovered opera, many people have enjoyed it and have become fans and opera lovers," he said. "One of the most positive things is that it made us really close friends."
When they were not discussing their work, they talked about their love of sports - Domingo said he rooted for the Spanish soccer team Real Madrid, while Pavarotti was a fan of Italy's Juventus, fast cars, and Formula One.
"We talked about what you normally talk about with a friend," Domingo said.
The two had planned to meet next month when Domingo was to travel to Europe, he said.
Domingo said he was not able to travel to Italy to attend Pavarotti's funeral. The LA Opera's premiere of Verdi's Requiem on Sunday will honour his friend.
"We will remember the beauty of his voice, the great career that he led and the friend we have all lost," he said.
- AP