I became a fan of Luciano Pavorati in 1982. I was definitely a late comer, but my introduction and experience has lasted my life.

It was a wonderfully hot August evening in Boston, but the crowds were tremendous along the banks of the Charles River. There was something special going on and I didn't know what it was. Looking at the thousands of people, I knew this wasn't a rock concert, political rally, or "save the earth day".

When I finally found a rock that I could stand on a few feet from the shore of the muddy Charles, I heard sweet music, roars, applause and more sweet music. The guy up on the stage at the Hatch Shell could really belt it out.

Someone I had met in college gave a shout and eventually jumped out on the rock with me - it was a big, round boulder and a perfect little island for two. Between the day, the music, or the girl, I don't know which was more beautiful. I remember deciding that all of these things were meant to come together at that moment in time and I reveled in the fading light.

The music was absolutely captivating. The energy, the roll of foreign lyrics, the passion, all were magical. My freind told me that we were listening to the famous opera performer Pavorati. I closed my eyes and hung on to every note. What a very special day.

I got off the rock and never returned. The girl went her own way. Pavorati remains with me as a beacon of life, energy, and passion.

Today, he moves away. His performances are forever captured in recordings to be heard by many over and over. But that one day can only be mine. It gets better everytime I replay it in my mind.

Bravo! Pavorati!