In 1978, the same year that Pavarotti sang the famous duet with his father in Italy, I was privileged to sit in a master's class held for the voice majors of my university and listen to not only his massive and rich voice, but his vocal direction.
A small group of us had been asked to sit under him for the day and an even smaller group had been asked to sing for him and let him critique their singing. The few very brave singers in my class that got up and sang for him had my immense awe.
I sat in wonder as he answered our questions about himself. He told us about his background and his love of music. He had not had the privileged background that some of the other students in my class had, but he certainly had gone after his dream believing that he could achieve it with enough hard work.
It was everything I could have wanted in a master's class. In a day where students, for the most part, are not being taught their rich musical heritage, I'm glad I had the chance to meet this remarkable man.
Sandy Lankford
Sebring

Advertisement
Advertisement