Luciano Pavarotti did not need the United Nations as a stage, even if he was a "Goodwill Ambassador." He was welcome as artist and personality regardless of culture and politics. He perhaps was perceived as a fickle performer for hire, but he was devoted with his talents and person to his humanitarian commitments. END of PART 1....

“LUCIANO PAVAROTTI, A DIPLOMAT ARTIST”
By, Muhamed Sacirbey
January 8, 2009

PART 2
Modena, Italy, his hometown, became Pavarotti's annual stage for humanitarian causes, particularly those helping children. In the 1990's, he benefited "War Child" and children victimized by conflict in Bosnia & Herzegovina and then West Africa. He brought together the world's greatest talents. Most would want to come to Modena to share the stage with Pavarotti, but all eventually would be caught up in the spirit of contributing their talents to the cause: Eric Clapton, Melissa Etheridge, Sting, Lionel Ritchie, Spike Lee, Zuccero, Bryan Adams, The Corrs, Neville Brothers, Meatloaf, Chieftains, Nenad Bach, Sheryl Crow, Brian Eno, the Edge, Bono, (and I'm certain that I’m negligent in all that participated).

Pavarotti was the gracious host to the music stars for days of rehearsals and to the "honored" guests. But it was not just the celebrities that received Pavarotti's gracious response. No doubt, others were inspired by both Pavarotti's giving spirit and the manner of the delivery. Perhaps Lady Diana found inspiration and humility in Pavarotti's efforts. At a table shared with Princess Diana and myself at the after event, Pavarotti raised his huge frame and delivered a smile to every individual who came by to greet the great maestro.

On the Modena stage, Pavarotti was not master of ceremonies as much a part of each performance. He contributed his voice to make performances a fusion of styles and cultures. Through the four-hour program, Pavarotti's enthusiasm kept the presentation fresh, the music unique, and the audience tireless despite standing through the night's performances.

The "Pavarotti & Friends" concerts and his further contributions made the "Pavarotti Music Center" in Mostar a reality. Pavarotti came to open the center in Mostar in 1997, not because of the name, (the name was my idea and not his initiative). Rather, he understood that Bosnia & Herzegovina could most benefit from the psychological and sociological therapy of music. It was his contribution to a country and its children in need of healing. On the opening night in Mostar, Pavarotti was already feeling the constraints of his health situation. He had just a night or two earlier cancelled a paying gig in England, but he made sure that he made it that rainy, raw December night to Mostar despite the obstacles of logistics and politics.

"MISS SARAJEVO"

Pavarotti's humanitarian voice was not to the exclusion of concerns politically contiguous. With Brian Eno and U2, Pavarotti contributed a song uniquely composed for the besieged citizens of Sarajevo in the mid-1990s. ("Miss Sarajevo" was inspired by a beauty pageant put together by Sarajevo's young women calling out to the world to help lift the siege and "Don't Let Them Kill Us." It became the theme of a short film by Bill Carter documenting the city's plight). While not overtly political, the composition was a definitive challenge to the political powers standing idly by while the siege, suffering and genocide went unabated: time to stop the killing!

Is there a time for keeping your distance
A time to turn your eyes away
Is there a time for keeping your head down
For getting on with your day

Is there a time for kohl and lipstick
A time for curling hair
Is there a time for high street shopping
To find the right dress to wear

Here she comes
Heads turn around
Here she comes
To take her crown

Is there a time to run for cover
A time for kiss and tell
Is there a time for different colours
Different names you find it hard to spell

Is there a time for first communion
A time for East Seventeen
Is there a time to turn to Mecca
Is there time to be a beauty queen

Here she comes
Beauty plays the clown
Here she comes
Surreal in her crown


(Pavarotti)
Dici che il fiume
Trova la via al mare
E come il fiume Giungerai a me
Oltre i confini
E le terre assetate
Dici che come il fiume
Come il fiume...
L'amore giungerà
L'amore...
E non so più pregare
E nell'amore non so più sperare
E quell'amore non so più

aspettare

[Translation of the above]
You say that the river
finds the way to the sea
and like the river
you will come to me
beyond the borders
and the dry lands
You say that like a river
like a river...
the love will come
the love...
And i don't know how to pray anymore
and in love i don't know how to hope

anymore
and for that love i don't know how to wait anymore

[End of Translation]

Is there a time for tying ribbons
A time for Christmas trees
Is there a time for laying tables
And the night is set to freeze

O lijepa, o draga, o slatka slobodo,
[dar u kom sva blaga višnji nam bog je do...]


----Ciao, Susan Sacirbey
Follow me on Face Book: “DIPLOMAT ARTIST” or “DIPLOMATICALLY INCORRECT”
TWITTER @ DiplomaticallyX


Additional, Suggested Film Reports:

From Undiplomatic TV, our Parody, Improv, and Comedy channel:
“Mussolini, Berlusconi, or a Ferrari???”
Film clip includes Pavoratti with Bono in “Miss Sarajevo.”

diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/mussolini-berlusconi-or-a-ferrari/22719 Who would you select to represent Italy before an international forum, Mussolini, (El Duce), Berlusconi or a Ferrari, or perhaps the options are too narrow and unfair? Why not Felini, or even Michaelangelo or Devinci? How about another Italian "treasure" Carla Bruni? Luciano Pavarotti was UN Goodwill Ambassador and global citizen. "Miss Sarajevo" is only one of his many contributions along with his hometown Modena concerts gathering the world's musical artists on one stage for children.

“DA YA THINK I’M SEXY & LUCIANO PAVAROTTI” (Part I)
diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/da-ya-think-im-sexy-luciano-pavarotti-by-susan-sacirbey-part-i/27320

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