Pavarotti wins Lifetime Achievement Award at Classic BRIT Awards 2013
2 October 2013, 22:16 | Updated: 9 October 2013, 11:25
Fifty years after his first recording and TV broadcast, the legendary tenor has been honoured with a posthumous award at the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall.
Luciano Pavarotti has been honoured with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the Classic BRIT Awards. The award was made six years after the tenor agreed to collect this award in person, but sadly died before the event.
Nicoletta Mantovani-Pavarotti, the singer’s widow collected his award at the ceremony, saying: "It's not easy to speak after such a wonderful video. Thank you José for being here, and thank you to the BRIT Awards for this special award."
Looking skyward, she said: "The biggest thanks go to the public, that still loves Luciano so much, and I'm sure that up there, he has all of you in his heart."
Pavarotti's former 'Three Tenors' colleagues also joined in the tributes.
José Carreras interrupted his world tour and flew in from Argentina to attend the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall and present the award.
"He was the most brilliant tenor, but it was also his passion, humour and charisma that made him delight audiences around the world," said Carreras. "A unique talent, Luciano was also extremely funny. He would make us laugh on stage by changing the words of certain arias. Anyone who saw the Three Tenors perform 'O Sole Mio' knows he liked to enjoy his performances with us.
"I feel blessed to have known him both as a fellow performer and friend."
Placido Domingo, who is back in Los Angeles after recovering from a pulmonary embolism, also joined in the celebration of the late singer. In a special video tribute, he said of Pavarotti: "We kind of motivated each other - kind of 'anything you can do I can do better' - and we had great fun singing together."
"So Luciano we remember you, we love you and we miss you and congratulations to all your family," said Domingo.
Passing the baton from one great singer to another, the ceremony also featured a performance from Maltese singing sensation Joseph Calleja, singing 'Caruso' as a tribute to the legendary tenor.
