The Three Tenors

Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, and Luciano Pavarotti 

Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, and Luciano Pavarotti were the three greatest tenor voices of their generation. In 1990, as I sipped celebratory beer in a German pub after the World Cup victory, we watched this historic performance.

The tenors laughed and sang their way through the evening.  The power of their song was felt by me in Germany and is still felt by all who hear them sing.

Placido Domingo: 1 Degree
My personal favorite was Spanish singer, Placido Domingo.  A devout Catholic, Mr. Domingo made an album inspired by the writings of Blessed John Paul II.  Here is a Reuter's film about the album.  This album also gets Josh Groban, Vanessa Williams, and others into "first degree" status.



Jose Carreras: 1 Degree
Catalan, Jose Carreras is a dynamo.  He sang at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II in celebration of the Jubliee year, 2000.  The video of that concert is available on Netflix, but not for purchase.  Here is Carreras singing from Puccini's "Turandot."

Luciano Pavarotti: 1 Degree
Although Domingo was my favorite, Pavarotti is the one who is most like me.  He loved the opposite sex, a good meal, a good laugh, and a good bottle of wine.  Mr. Pavarotti was all about pleasure and joy.  I wish I had his musical accumin, but we definitely shared a personality!  Here he is singing for Blessed John Paul II when he visited the United States in 1979.