Luciano Pavarotti

Known for his larger-than-life persona and extraordinary range, legendary opera singer Luciano Pavarotti was born Oct. 12, 1935, in Modena, Italy, and spent much of his youth listening to records of celebrated Italian tenors such as Beniamino Gigli and Enrico Caruso.

Pavarotti became an internationally renowned star after touring with celebrated soprano Joan Sutherland and performing in major opera houses all over the world, eventually appearing in more than 20 productions taped for television between 1978 and 1994. His famous roles include Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini's "La Bohème," Alfredo Germont in Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata" and Mario Cavaradossi in Puccini's "Tosca."

But Pavarotti is most often associated with his rendition of "Nessun Dorma" -- an aria that would become his signature song -- from Puccini's "Turandot." Pavarotti died of pancreatic cancer Sept. 6, 2007.

Filmography