Anonymous - 10-19-2003 at 01:24 PM
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20031019-9999_1m19...
By Sandra Dibble
October 19, 2003
MEXICALI ? The scenery held the drama of grand opera last night, with the sun setting over a desert landscape framed by two mountain ranges, and stars
emerging as the day dissolved into night.
A lone man's voice broke the silence: That of Luciano Pavarotti, the legendary Italian tenor, answering the dreams of Mexicali residents proudly
celebrating their city's hundredth birthday.
It was an opportunity many said would never be repeated: To gather in a desert river basin, to listen to one of the world's greatest voices, to make
history together in this harsh terrain without roads, water or electricity.
The concert opened with its own high drama.
Pavarotti coughed as he began his first song, Bononcini's "Per la gloria d'adorarvi." He stopped, then began again, his usually beaming face a
portrait of tragedy as it played out across five giant screens.
After his third number, Pavarotti apologized to the audience, saying he had the flu. In other circumstances, he said, he would have canceled the
concert, but that this was such a great audience he would make an effort to finish the program.
The 68-year-old singer went on to sing with soprano Annalisa Raspagliosi, winning loud applause and standing ovations.
Suspense rose during intermission, as some speculated that Pavarotti wouldn't return to the stage. But he did, performing the opera classics that have
become his trademark.
"You are a great audience," Pavarotti said after singing "O Sole Mio." "You deserve better. Maybe another time."
The concert ended with more applause and ovations, with Pavarotti exhorting the audience to join him and Raspagliosi in the famed drinking song from
"La Traviatta," telling them to sing "la la la" if they didn't know the words.
Pavarotti's appearance brought together a rich cross section of concertgoers: students, workers, business leaders, politicians listening attentively ?
and all cheering him on. Pavarotti lovers mingled with those who had never heard of him.
Organizers estimated that between 35,000 and 40,000 people converged in this desert west of Baja California's capital for the event.
Those who arrived earlier in the day were greeted by temperatures that rose to 119 degrees at 1 p.m.
By 5 p.m., hundreds of people stood in line, seeking shade under hats, umbrellas and tents as they waited to enter the seating area.
By 7:30 p.m., when Pavarotti began singing, the temperature had dropped to the low 80s.
Joel Cazares, 44, owner of a welding shop in Mexicali, and his wife, Juanita Aguilar Cazares, 33, aren't typical opera fans ? they prefer cumbia or
rancheras. But their daughter, Carolina, was in the centennial chorus that warmed up the audience for Pavarotti.
"This is a unique privilege in our lives," said Joel Cazares.
Jorge Torres, 18, an employee in a Tijuana jewelry shop, clipped coupons for eight days in a daily newspaper, El Mexicano, and won two free tickets.
He brought a friend, Sergio Ortega, a 27-year-old studio photographer.
"It would be hard to get to other parts of the world where he's been, so we figured we'd take advantage of the fact that he's here," said Ortega.
The event had the feel of a music festival and civic celebration.
Mexicali resident Lupita Jones, Miss Universe 1991, was one of the featured speakers, as were Baja California Gov. Eugenio Elorduy and Mexicali Mayor
Jaime D?az Ochoa.
The concert was the highlight of more than 400 festivities marking the centennial of Baja California's state capital.
Organizers of the celebrations quickly realized that parades, competitions, festivals ? even concerts with Mexican celebrities ? would resonate only
so far. An artist of Pavarotti's stature, they reasoned, would carry Mexicali's name far beyond this arid corner of northwest Mexico.
"This will help them see that people from Mexicali have dared to have a world-class project," said Cuauht?moc P?rez Rom?n, a Mexicali developer and
president of the centennial committee. "You can't go any higher than Pavarotti ? it's just up from here."
Some complained of long lines, of difficulty finding their seats, of vendors who ran out of food and drink. But others said Mexicali's concert in the
desert was far better than they had expected.
"Primoroso," said a beaming Carmina de Altamirano, 59, a Mexicali homemaker. "It was just beautiful. All of this was worth it."
Anonymous - 10-28-2003 at 02:14 PM
Opera singers Luciano Pavarotti (left), Annalisa Raspagliosi (center), and conductor Leone Magiera appear for an encore during a performance in the
desert near Mexicali, Mexico on Saturday October 18, 2003. Approximately 35,000 people came out for the spectacle, which was held as part of the
city's centennial anniversary. (AP Photo/David Maung)