12/10/2026
For what would have been his 91st birthday, we want to celebrate the late Luciano Pavarotti.
The world-famous 20th-century opera singer was photographed by Helmut Newton for Vanity Fair in 1993. The photo shows Pavarotti in a tailcoat, deeply focused during an intimate moment in his dressing room, most likely before going onstage.
Born in Modena, Italy, Pavarotti became internationally known for his powerful tenor voice. His performances of Italian operas, especially those by Verdi and Puccini, brought him worldwide fame. Alongside Plácido Domingo and José Carreras, he was one of the "Three Tenors."
He later brought opera to a broader audience through concerts and collaborations with popular musicians. Pavarotti regularly used his fame to support humanitarian and charity work. He organized the annual Pavarotti and Friends concerts, which raised millions of dollars for children and others affected by war and conflict. The concerts were hosted in his hometown and featured artists such as Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Céline Dion, Queen, and the Spice Girls.
Helmut Newton, Luciano Pavarotti, Monaco 1993 © Helmut Newton Foundation.
Luciano Pavarotti