Born on this day in Modena, Italy, Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007) captivated the world with a voice of sunlit clarity and power. He made his operatic debut in 1961 and, within a few short years, stepped onto American stages to rapturous acclaim.

Called the “King of the High C’s,” he turned technique into beauty and breath into emotion. “People think I am disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion. There is a great difference,” he said …a glimpse into the heart that fueled his art.

In 1993, his free Central Park concert drew an ocean of listeners. Hundreds of thousands gathered under the sky to be lifted by song. Through recordings, recitals, and collaborations, he opened opera to new audiences and made Verdi arias part of everyday joy.

A beloved artist and humanitarian, he served as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, raising money and awareness for global relief efforts. Offstage he loved pasta, fast cars, and painting. Onstage he loved to share what he called life-affirming music.

“My work is everything to me,” he confessed. “I try to overcome my limitations and to be the best I can.” In that striving, generous, joyous, and true, his voice lives on, echoing through eternity. Reminding us that devotion is a kind of music all its own.