Pavarotti first visited China as early as 1986, performing La Boheme with the Genoa Opera. He also performed a recital at the Great Hall of the People and held a master class at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
"It was an enlightening experience for Chinese audiences eager to learn about operatic art," recalls Zhao Lei, deputy director of the Shanghai Opera House.
This groundbreaking tour was documented by Academy Award-winning filmmaker DeWitt Sage in his film Distant Harmony, which captured the tenor's cheerful exchanges with Chinese singers alongside the inevitable clash of cultures.
Pavarotti returned to China in 2001 for The Three Tenors concert tour with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras at the Forbidden City in Beijing. During his second visit to Shanghai in 2005, the Shanghai Opera House orchestra provided accompaniment for his concert.
"The maestro often spoke of his love for China, and Chinese audiences have always held him close to their hearts," Zhao says. She adds that the success of this globally exclusive commemorative concert in Shanghai not only rekindles the bond between Pavarotti and his Chinese audience but also showcases Shanghai's influence and appeal as an international metropolis in the genres of opera and classical music.
Conductor Lyu also recalled his experience working with Pavarotti. In the 1990s, as a young man in his 20s, Lyu served as the chief conductor of the Teatro Verdi Trieste and was one of the few Chinese musicians working in Italy at the time.
"I was lucky because it was an era when Pavarotti and other great singers were active on the stage, and I was able to gain a wealth of experience," Lyu says. "As a young man, I received immense mentorship from these masters. Now, I believe it is my turn to build platforms and help new generations of artists to thrive."
The foundation established in Pavarotti's name after his passing is dedicated to supporting young opera singers. Mantovani expresses hope that the foundation could collaborate with Chinese partners on events such as competitions to "open a future together, because Luciano loved China very much".
