A personal guide to authentic experiences
from a veteran travel journalist
Authentic Luxury Travel
[promoslider id="my_id" category="topbanner" height="200px"]
  • Home
  • About Elizabeth
    • Published Articles
  • Authentic Luxury Travel
  • Book A Trip
  • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Advertise
    • Contribute a Guest Post
    • Keep in Touch
    • Leave a Comment, Ask a Question
    • Plan a Getaway “Contest”
    • Send a Photo
    • Share a Travel Book or Movie
    • Write a Trip Report
  • Map of Posts by Location
  • Trip Planning
  • Africa
    • Botswana
    • Safaris
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania
    • Zambia
  • Air Travel
  • Antarctica
  • Asia
    • Bhutan
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • Indonesia
    • Japan
    • Myanmar
    • Vietnam
  • Australia
    • Great Barrier Reef
    • Sydney
  • Authentic Travel
  • Canada
    • Alberta
    • British Columbia
      • Vancouver
    • Newfoundland
  • Central America
    • Costa Rica
    • Guatemala
    • Mexico
  • Cruises
  • Europe
    • Czech Republic
    • England
    • Finland
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Latvia
    • Poland
    • Scotland
    • Spain
    • The Netherlands
    • Turkey
  • Hotels
  • India
  • Islands
    • Bermuda
    • Caribbean
    • Fiji
    • French Polynesia
    • Hawaii
    • Ibiza, Spain
    • Maldives
    • Palau
    • Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi
  • Middle East
    • Abu Dhabi
    • Dubai
  • New Zealand
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Galapagos
    • Peru
  • Special Interest Trips
    • Ancestry travel
    • Bucket List Travel
    • Classic Car Adventures
    • Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
    • fall colors
    • Family Travel
    • food tours
    • garden visits
    • Golf Vacations
    • Learning Vacations
      • Cooking schools
    • national holidays
    • Performing Arts
      • concerts
      • opera
    • Pet-Friendly Travel
    • Rafting
    • Recipes
    • Romantic Destinations
    • Shopping
    • Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
    • Spa Vacations
    • surfing
    • Walking vacations
    • Wildlife Watching
    • Winter Holidays
    • Women's Travel
  • Staying Healthy
    • Dealing with Illness and Discomfort
    • Eating and Drinking
    • Insects
    • Mind and Spirit
    • Packing
    • Problem Prevention
    • Travelling with Kids
  • Travel Experts
  • U. S. Travel
    • National Parks
    • USA Eastern States
    • USA Midwestern States
    • USA Southern States
    • USA Southwest
    • USA Western States
      • Alaska
      • Central California
      • Montana
      • Northern California
      • Oregon
      • Southern California
      • Utah
      • Washington
  • Vacation Rentals
  • Voluntourism

Saying Good-bye to Luciano Pavarotti

July 18, 2012 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | 5 Replies More

Luciano Pavarotti was a member of our family.

Well, not really, but it seemed that way because my mother loved his music, and his voice was ever-present in our house.

Normally a no-nonsense, hard-working homemaker, a faraway look would appear on her face when Pavarotti sang O Sole Mio, and I knew she was thinking of her mother and grandmother, Ellis Island, and growing up in Chicago’s Little Italy.

My mother and her family, Chicago, about 1930.

I inherited her passion, never tired of listening to his CDs, and watched The Three Tenors over and over.

I even risked public embarrassment by crashing a press conference with “the Maestro” when he was in San Diego to give a concert. Arts and entertainment writers had been invited to our best hotel, where their credentials were checked at the door to the ballroom. The director of the opera did a double-take when he saw my press pass.

“But you’re a travel writer….”

After some seriously fast talking, I was admitted and even had the temerity to raise my hand and ask a question. When Pavarotti called on me, I was surprised that I was actually able to speak.

I hung around after the meeting hoping for an autograph, but finally gave up and got in the elevator. Just as the doors were starting to close…in stepped Big Luciano. This time, I was speechless and just grateful that my knees didn’t buckle.

When Pavarotti died in 2007, I mourned like so many others. Two years later, I visited Italy with my family and included Modena on our itinerary. I was sure there would be a memorial museum in his hometown, but no such luck.

“You might try visiting the cemetery where he’s buried,” a gelato vendor suggested. “It’s south of town, but it might be closed by the time you get there.”

Everybody jumped back in the car and off we went.

“South of town,” but where? How far south?

Twenty minutes later, my son-in-law came to an abrupt stop and yelled “Elizabeth, get out. They’re just closing the gates.”

The caretaker knew why I was there and nodded his head in the direction of the great man’s grave. I was struck with its simplicity. “The last, great voice” of Italian opera is buried with his family, and the guestbook was open for anyone to sign.

When the caretaker reappeared I assumed it was to ask me to leave, but instead – without speaking – he handed me a funeral card and then left me alone. In the black and white photo on the card, Luciano was smiling.

I signed the book and then just stood there savoring the moment and thinking of my mother.

Tags: cemetery, family, famous Italian, famous tenor, free, grave, Italy, Luciano Pavarotti, memorable experience, Modena, music, singer, travel

Category: Italy

Subscribe

If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.

Privacy guaranteed. We never share your info.
Subscribe via RSS Feed Follow Me on Twitter Connect on Facebook Connect on Google Plus Connect on LinkedIn

Comments (5)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Donna says:
    July 20, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    Dear Elizabeth, thank you for your article about visiting Pavarotti’s grave. I am going to Italy in about a month’s time and will be visiting Modena on the 5th anniversary of his death. By a random viewing of one of the 3 Tenors concerts 3+ years ago, I found myself breathless and in tears from the sheer beauty of his voice. I wanted to watch more and more and, at the age of 58, I discovered I loved opera – Italian Opera. I will be forever grateful to Luciano for the wonderful gift he gave me. My dream trip to Italy will include the Puccini Festival, a concert at La Scala and opera performances at the Verona amphitheater. Like you, I will visit his grave to pay my respects. There is a memorial concert on the 6th of September that I am very hopeful I will be able to attend. Thanks again, OperaNonna (aka Donna)

    Reply
  2. Joe says:
    August 4, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    Great story. Thanks for sharing. It was interesting how you connected your childhood and family and travel with your current family. I enjoy your writing.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says:
      August 5, 2016 at 5:04 pm

      Thank you, Joe!

      Reply
  3. gina says:
    April 30, 2017 at 11:58 am

    thank you for this article! I so relate as my grandparent were all born in italia then went to chicago where my parents were born. Yes? Pavarotti was a family member in our household also!
    His voice was a true gift to all of us!

    Reply
  4. Susan says:
    September 21, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    Like so many people, I fell in love with the voice of Luciano Pavarotti when I was 37 years old. It was “Yes, Giorgio”, and I am happy to say that I have not been the same since that day in 1982. I did get to several of his concerts when he came to my city, but I know that going to Italy will never be possible for me. I have dreamed of going to Modena, Pesaro, and of course, his place of rest. For those who are able to go his place of rest in Mongale, my thoughts and heart goes with you. Rest in Peace, dear Luciano, and thank you for changing my life.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

« Bermuda Like a Local
Inflight Comfort – Air Travel Tips »

Subscribe

Join me and discover the joy of authentic travel experiences. Subscribe here. Watch your inbox for an activation email.

Privacy guaranteed. We never share your info.
[jr_instagram id="2"]
Let our Boutique Hotels inspire you
Discover the ancient and magical culture of  Peru
Discover Vietnams hidden treasures with the help of a private tour guide
Spectaular Italian Villas and homes for rent

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

I enjoy helping travelers plan custom itineraries that wander off the beaten path instead of following the well-worn trail of tourist sites. Elizabeth Hansen
Find out how I can help .

"I truly want to thank you for helping to make our trip a joyous adventure. We will always be grateful to you for enhancing our experiences." —N. Higgins, Black Mountain, NC

Find Authentic Luxury Destinations

Click the map to find articles and travel tips about your favorite destinations.

Subscribe via RSS Feed Follow Me on Twitter Connect on Facebook Connect on Google Plus Connect on LinkedIn
© 2022 Authentic Luxury Travel. All rights reserved. Design & Development by Acorn Interactive.