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Pavarotti Sings Chinese President's Praises
June 25, 2001 9:06 am EST
By Carrie Lee
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti sang the praises of Chinese President Jiang Zemin in Hong Kong on Monday, saying the Beijing leader was charming and might be able to become an opera star.
"If this man can express himself with a soul and with power that he has even in singing, he certainly will be a big star," Pavarotti told a news conference, when asked if he thought Jiang could potentially be an opera star.
The legendary tenor gave the light-hearted press conference, sprinkled with wisecracks and jokes, just days after the Three Tenors' concert in Beijing held in support of the Chinese capital's controversial bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
The Three Tenors -- Pavarotti, Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo -- staged a concert in Beijing's Forbidden City on Saturday, which organizers said was China's largest ever musical production.
Pavarotti said singing in one of the world's oldest palaces was a unique experience -- but it was not the first time he had sung there.
"Fifteen years ago, we visited the Forbidden City. And when I made the first step inside, I sang 'Vincero! Vincero!' So I'd already sung in the Forbidden City, theoretically," he joked.
He also spoke warmly of the trio's lunch with Jiang at the president's home on Sunday.
"He was very, very charming. He thanked all of us one by one," Pavarotti said. "It was a very, very unique experience. And then we went to the table to eat. Fantastic food, first of all, really fantastic -- the best Chinese I have tasted in my life."
"We began suddenly to sing ... the president made it with me ... (Together we sang) 'O Sole Mio' ... I think it was very good."
BACKING CHINA'S OLYMPIC BID
An ambassador of peace for the United Nations, Pavarotti reiterated his support for Beijing to host the 2008 Olympic Games despite widespread condemnation of China's human rights situation.
"We went there to make Beijing more visible to the people ... I think Beijing should be chosen for the Olympics because it is an incredible city with a lot of present and a lot of future."
"If I vote, I will give it to Beijing," said Pavarotti.
Beijing, which narrowly lost its bid to Sydney for the 2000 games, is fighting against Paris, Toronto, Istanbul and Osaka for the 2008 games. The winning city will be announced next month.
Pavarotti will stage a solo concert in Hong Kong on Wednesday, 11 years after his last performance there.
Jiang is quoted as saying "when I'm not trampling all over human rights there's nothing that makes me happier than belting out some La Traviata"
June 25, 2001 9:06 am EST
By Carrie Lee
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti sang the praises of Chinese President Jiang Zemin in Hong Kong on Monday, saying the Beijing leader was charming and might be able to become an opera star.
"If this man can express himself with a soul and with power that he has even in singing, he certainly will be a big star," Pavarotti told a news conference, when asked if he thought Jiang could potentially be an opera star.
The legendary tenor gave the light-hearted press conference, sprinkled with wisecracks and jokes, just days after the Three Tenors' concert in Beijing held in support of the Chinese capital's controversial bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
The Three Tenors -- Pavarotti, Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo -- staged a concert in Beijing's Forbidden City on Saturday, which organizers said was China's largest ever musical production.
Pavarotti said singing in one of the world's oldest palaces was a unique experience -- but it was not the first time he had sung there.
"Fifteen years ago, we visited the Forbidden City. And when I made the first step inside, I sang 'Vincero! Vincero!' So I'd already sung in the Forbidden City, theoretically," he joked.
He also spoke warmly of the trio's lunch with Jiang at the president's home on Sunday.
"He was very, very charming. He thanked all of us one by one," Pavarotti said. "It was a very, very unique experience. And then we went to the table to eat. Fantastic food, first of all, really fantastic -- the best Chinese I have tasted in my life."
"We began suddenly to sing ... the president made it with me ... (Together we sang) 'O Sole Mio' ... I think it was very good."
BACKING CHINA'S OLYMPIC BID
An ambassador of peace for the United Nations, Pavarotti reiterated his support for Beijing to host the 2008 Olympic Games despite widespread condemnation of China's human rights situation.
"We went there to make Beijing more visible to the people ... I think Beijing should be chosen for the Olympics because it is an incredible city with a lot of present and a lot of future."
"If I vote, I will give it to Beijing," said Pavarotti.
Beijing, which narrowly lost its bid to Sydney for the 2000 games, is fighting against Paris, Toronto, Istanbul and Osaka for the 2008 games. The winning city will be announced next month.
Pavarotti will stage a solo concert in Hong Kong on Wednesday, 11 years after his last performance there.
Jiang is quoted as saying "when I'm not trampling all over human rights there's nothing that makes me happier than belting out some La Traviata"
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