 
                
                        Pavarotti's Greatest Hits
Sunday Night is Music Night celebrates the songs and life of the baker's son from Modena who became one of the world's greatest tenors - Luciano Pavarotti.
Sunday Night is Music Night celebrates Pavarotti's Greatest Hits.
Luciano Pavarotti was born 80 years ago on the 12th October 1935. Tonight Paul Gambaccini pays tribute to the most famous tenor of the modern opera era.
Luciano's father Fernando was the town baker and keen amateur singer whilst his mother Adele worked in the local cigar factory. Luciano grew up listening to his father's record collection - Caruso, Gigli and Schipa and was also influenced by the films of Mario Lanza. He made his first visit to the UK when he and his father took part in the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen as part of Corale Rossini - they took first prize. Luciano was just 20 years old.
As a youngster music was just one of his many ambitions. He also wanted to play in goal for his beloved Juventus FC and he was a skilled player in his youth. He held down many different jobs before turning to music - farming, teaching and insurance salesman. His opera career took off in the early 60s and he enjoyed a long collaboration with Dame Joan Sutherland and soprano Mirella Freni and a friendly rivalry with fellow opera tenors Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo. In 1990 an unbelievable event took place. The three tenors shared the same stage for a gala concert on the eve of the World Cup Final in Italy. The recording of the concert became the biggest selling classical record of all time.
Tonight, our Sunday Night tenors Bonaventure Bottone, Noah Stewart and Gardar Thor Cortez recall the songs that Pavarotti made famous including O Sole Mio, Che Gelida Manina, Torna a Surriento and, of course, Nessun Dorma. Soprano Camilla Roberts is on hand for the Love Duet from Madam Butterfly and the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra conducted by its guest principal conductor Johannes Wildner feature intermezzi and overtures associated with the Great Pavarotti.
First broadcast in October 2015
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    ![]()  The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerFriday Night Is Music Night Opening Sig Tune 
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    ![]()  Bonaventura Bottone & The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerO Sole Mio 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra cb Johannes Wildner & Noah StewartRECONDITA ARMONIA 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra cb Johannes Wildner & Bonaventura BottoneLA MATTINATA 
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    ![]()  The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerFUNICULI FUNICULA 
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    ![]()  Camilla Roberts, Garðar Thór Cortes & The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerBRINDISI (LA TRAVIATA) 
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    ![]()  The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerPRELUDE: ACT 1 - LA TRAVIATA 
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    ![]()  Garðar Thór Cortes & The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerAh, Mes Amis 
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    ![]()  Camilla Roberts & The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerManon Lescaut - opera in 4 acts 
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    ![]()  The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerOVERTURE: LA FORZA DEL DESTINO 
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    ![]()  The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerCARMEN PRELUDE ACT 1 
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    ![]()  Noah Stewart & The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerTHE FLOWER SONG ('CARMEN') 
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    ![]()  Bonaventura Bottone & The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerTORNA A SURRIENTO 
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    ![]()  The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerCavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo 
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    ![]()  Garðar Thór CortesCaruso 
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    ![]()  Bonaventura Bottone & The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerE La Solita Storia - Il Lamento De Frederico 
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    ![]()  The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerLA DANZA 
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    ![]()  Noah Stewart & The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerCHE GELIDA MANINA (LA BOHEME) 
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    ![]()  Camilla Roberts & Bonaventura Bottone & The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerLOVE DUET - MADAM BUTTERFLY 
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    ![]()  Bonaventura Bottone, Garðar Thór Cortes, Noah Stewart & The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerNessun Dorma 
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    ![]()  The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra Cb. Johannes WildnerFriday Night Is Music Night Closing Sig Tune 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner & Bonaventura BottoneO Sole Mio 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner & Noah StewartRecondita Armonia 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner & Bonaventura BottoneLa Mattinata 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra & Johannes WildnerFuniculi Funicula 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner, Camilla Roberts & Garðar Thór CortesBrindisi(La Traviata) 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert OrchestraPrelude Act I - La Traviata Conductor: Johannes Wildner.
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner & Gardar Thor CortesAh Mes Amis(La Fille Du Regiment) 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner & Camilla RobertsManon Lescaut 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra & Johannes WildnerOverture - La Forza Del Destino 
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    ![]()  Luciano PavarottiChe Gelida Manina(La Boheme) - The First Decade.
- DECCA.
 
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    ![]()  Luciano Pavarotti & Elton JohnLike Horses - The Big Picture.
- Rocket.
 
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    ![]()  Luciano Pavarotti & Bryan AdamsO Sole Mio - Pavarotti and Friends.
- DECCA.
 
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    ![]()  PassengersMiss Sarajevo (feat. Luciano Pavarotti) - The Best Of U2: 1990-2000.
- Island.
 
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    ![]()  Luciano Pavarotti & Eric ClaptonHoly Mother - Pavarotti and Friends.
- DECCA.
 
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    ![]()  Luciano Pavarotti & EurythmicsThere Must Be a Angel - Pavarotti and Friends.
- DECCA.
 
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    ![]()  Luciano Pavarotti & Mariah CareyWhen a Hero Comes Along - Pavarotti and Friends.
- DECCA.
 
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    ![]()  Billy JoelStiletto - Pavarotti and Friends.
- DECCA.
 
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    ![]()  Luciano Pavarotti & Spice GirlsViva Forever - Pavarotti and Friends.
- DECCA.
 
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    ![]()  Luciano Pavarotti & Frank SinatraMy Way - Duets.
- Capitol.
 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra & Jphannes WildnerPrelude - Act I - Carmen 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner & Noah StewartThe Flower Song - Carmen 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Bonaventura Bottone & Johannes WildnerTorna a Surriento 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra & Johannes WildnerIntermezzo - Cavalleria Rusticana 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner & Gardar Thor CortesCaruso 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner & Bonaventura BottoneE La Solita Storia - Il Lamento de Frederico 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra & Johannes WildnerLa Danza 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner & Noah StewartChe Gelida Manina(La Boheme) 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner, Camilla Roberts & Bonaventura BottoneLove Duet(Madam Butterfly) 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra, Johannes Wildner, Bonaventura Bottone, Noah Stewart & Gardar Thor CortesNessun Dorma(Turandot) 
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    ![]()  ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra & Richard BalcombeFriday Night Sig (Friday Night Is Music Night) 
Credit
| Role | Contributor | 
|---|---|
| Performer | ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Concert Orchestra | 
Broadcasts
- Fri 2 Oct 2015 20:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 2
- Fri 12 Feb 2016 20:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 2
- Sun 27 Sep 2020 19:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 2
 
            