Italian well-known tenor Luciano Pavarotti passed away at his home in Modena, Italy, at 5am on Sept. 6th, local time. He died of pancreatic cancer at age of 71. As one of the greatest singers all over the world, the death of Pavarotti brings deep sorrow to the people who love him.
Pavarotti had a special connection with the Central Conservatory of Music. Pavarotti had visited China three times. The performances he gave in China included opera La Boheme in 1986, the concert with Domingo and Carreras in the Forbidden City in 2001, and the Farewell Concert in 2005. These brilliant performances left unforgettable expressions to Chinese audiences. 
Twenty-one years ago, when Pavarotti visited China for the first time, he delightfully accepted the invitation to visit the Central Conservatory of Music. When he heard Chinese traditional music for the first time in the Conservatory, he said, “I thought that Italian culture was the most rich and generous culture. However, after listening the concert (of Chinese traditional music), I have realized that Chinese culture also has a long history. I am very happy to visit China and to recognize such a nation.” Having appreciated Chinese traditional music, Pavarotti instructed the students of voice and opera department. He recalled many years later, “I instructed some students. They were so great! They knew what to do without being told by other people.” It should be mentioned especially that Pavarotti had been appointed as the honorary professor of the Central Conservatory of Music, which also indicated the profound friendship between Pavarotti and the Conservatory.
In the past few days, the professors and students have been deeply immersed into the memory of this great singer. Having heard the news of Pavarotti’s death, the president of the Central Conservatory of Music, Wang Cizhao, representing the Conservatory, sent a message of condolence to his family and expressed heartfelt condolence and sympathy. In the message, he says, “Pavarotti was the most respectable and loved singer by the professors and students of the Central Conservatory of Music. He visited the Conservatory and came into contact with Chinese music when he first came to China. His visit left a profound impression and beautiful memory on the professors and students of the Conservatory. His death is a great loss to our music cause.”
Professors and students have expressed their mourning to the great tenor in their own way. Wu Zuqiang, the honorary president and professor of the Conservatory, recalled,“I felt deeply sorrowful when I saw the news of his death on TV. He was the greatest tenor all over the world. When he came to China for the first time, I was honored to receive him and I had kept some interesting memories of his visit. When we picked him up in the airport, he could only sat on the armrests between two chairs because he was so tall and stout that no one single chair could fit him. In addition, he was sweaty and held a small fan in his hand. It is pity that no pictures of these interesting details have been left. When he talked about his impression of China, he thought that China was great, except for the condition of our music hall. Now, it is so regretful that our friend, Pavarotti, had left us when we finished the new National Grand Theater. His performances were so well received in China. His image of waving his white handkerchief will be kept in the audiences’ heart forever. He had also giving master classes during his visit to the Conservatory. His teaching provided the great benefits to the students and had a profound influence on Chinese vocal training.” Guo Shuzhen, the professor of voice and opera department, said, “Pavarotti is a great master. It is so regretful that he left us so 
early. In the heart of the people who devote themselves to vocal art, he is an unprecedented and unrepeatable singer. We can say that his achievement in vocal art is a goal for us to make more efforts. The people who have ever contacted with him know that he is a very amiable and easy person. He contributed all his lifetime to his art! We will commemorate him forever!”
In the Conservatory’s school-opening ceremony that held on September 10th, 2007, all the professors and students of the Conservatory stood in silent tribute for one minute to express the heartfelt condolence for the death of the great star in music circles and recall his brilliant life.
