Philanthropist Rose Marie Jimenez de. Arenas sponsored the presentation of the first and only live concert in Manila by world tenor Luciano Pavarotti during his first Asian tour last March 21, 1994 at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex.

She sent the following message to The PUNCH on hearing the news of Pavarotti’s death.

“It is with profound sadness that I received the news of the untimely demise of world tenor maestro Luciano Pavarotti, whose legendary musical prowess remains unparalleled. He is a great loss, not only to the world of music, but to humanity because he is one of the few luminaries in this generation who broke cultural and social barriers, and was highly esteemed as a citizen of the world.

Father Pio Lend a Hand Foundation Chairperson
Rosemarie J. Arenas presented Maestro Luciano Pavarotti
in a press conference held upon his arrival in
Manila for his benefit concert, “Pavarotti in Manila”,
in March 21, 1994.

“His magnificent voice drew universal appeal, time and time again, that united people of different cultures. His life was devoted to his craft and his audience. He was the first classical artist to win popular following, by singing popular song, in the discipline of the classics.

“His crossover was the key to bringing the classics to more people. If opened the door and laid the red carpet for the universal appreciation of classical music.

“He is well loved by the Filipino audience who did not mind waiting for the famous tenor to heal his sore throat, caused by the extreme humidity that summer of 1994, promting him to call a last minute postponement of his concert from March 18 to March 24.We are truly grateful that this icon was able to perform at least once in his short life on Philippine stage.

He will be greatly missed and certainly one difficult act to follow.

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