Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who died Thursday morning, was planning on recording a number of songs with the Israel Phiharmonic Orchestra shortly before his death, maestro Zubin Mehta told Ynet.
Speaking from Italy, where the Israel Philharmonic is currently touring, Mehta said he had talked with Pavarotti only a week ago. "He asked the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra to record three songs, to which he would add his voice after he recovered, and it was clear to him that he would recover.
Luciano Pavarotti (Photo: AFP)
"The orchestra recorded these songs in July, but now this connection, to my great sorrow, will never be made. It's very painful."
Mehta said the orchestra would play Mahler's Seventh Symphony in Pavarotti's memory at its concert Thursday evening in Bari.
"Pavarotti was a very positive person. At every rehearsal or performance that we did together, you could always see the positive aura and energy around him. He brought happiness not just through his voice but with his whole character."
Mehta said he took comfort in the fact that Pavarotti made a number of recordings "and so his voice will stay clear and alive in the recordings he made, and his soul will continue to touch millions of people around the world for ever."
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