Luciano Pavarotti

About Luciano

Luciano Pavarotti was named United Nations Messenger of Peace in 1998. The Italian operatic tenor captivated the world for decades with his powerful voice and personality. From his 1961 debut (in the north Italian city of Reggio Emilia) as Rodolfo in “La Bohème” until his death in 2007, Pavarotti soared high in the world of opera, while winning a legion of fans outside the classical music world with his charm and warmth. He was noted for his work on behalf of refugees and used concerts and media appearances to raise funds and bring to attention the suffering of refugees. His annual “Pavarotti and Friends” concerts brought together some of the world’s great musicians and raised funds for UNHCR projects in Kosovo, Pakistan, Zambia and Iraq. In 2001, Pavarotti was presented with the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the cause of refugees.