Pavarotti's Greatest Hits

Friday Night is Music Night celebrates Pavarotti's Greatest Hits.

Luciano Pavarotti was born 80 years ago on the 12th October 1935. Tonight Paul Gambaccini pays tribute to the most famous tenor of the modern opera era.

Luciano's father Fernando was the town baker and keen amateur singer whilst his mother Adele worked in the local cigar factory. Luciano grew up listening to his father's record collection - Caruso, Gigli and Schipa and was also influenced by the films of Mario Lanza. He made his first visit to the UK when he and his father took part in the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen as part of Corale Rossini - they took first prize. Luciano was just 20 years old.

As a youngster music was just one of his many ambitions. He also wanted to play in goal for his beloved Juventus FC and he was a skilled player in his youth. He held down many different jobs before turning to music - farming, teaching and insurance salesman. His opera career took off in the early 60s and he enjoyed a long collaboration with Dame Joan Sutherland and soprano Mirella Freni and a friendly rivalry with fellow opera tenors Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo. In 1990 an unbelievable event took place. The three tenors shared the same stage for a gala concert on the eve of the World Cup Final in Italy. The recording of the concert became the biggest selling classical record of all time.

Tonight, our Friday Night tenors Bonaventure Bottone, Noah Stewart and Gardar Thor Cortez recall the songs that Pavarotti made famous including O Sole Mio, Che Gelida Manina, Torna a Surriento and, of course, Nessun Dorma. Soprano Camilla Roberts is on hand for the Love Duet from Madam Butterfly and the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by its guest principal conductor Johannes Wildner feature intermezzi and overtures associated with the Great Pavarotti.

Recorded 3rd June at the Hackney Empire, London.