Soundcheck

Luciano Pavarotti (www.lucianopavarotti.com)

Opera World Loses an Ambassador

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Luciano Pavarotti, who died last night at age 71, was called by some admirers as the greatest tenor who ever lived. Today we hear about his influence on stage and off. Also: for years, the world of jazz drummers was an exclusive boys' club. Not anymore. And later: Female jazz drummers talk about playing harder and faster than their male counterparts. And: the Shanghai String Quartet emerged from post-revolution China. The ensemble is equally comfortable performing Beethoven in China and Chinese works in the West. They perform live in our studio.

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Luciano Pavarotti Dies at 71

Luciano Pavarotti, the Italian tenor with the unmistakably pristine voice, was not only the opera world's greatest star, he was also its biggest ambassador, bringing the art form to the masses. He died last night of pancreatic cancer at his home in Modena, Italy. Today, we hear about his influence on stage and off.

Women Behind the Kit

In 1942, drummer Viola Smith sparked a fiery debate in the jazz music magazine Down Beat when she declared that women could "sit in any jam session and hold their own." More than 60 years later, Soundcheck asks teacher and jazz writer Will Layman how Smith's statement would be received today. And, two jazz drummers share their experience: Sherrie Maricle, leader of the all-female DIVA Jazz Orchestra, and Cindy Blackman, namesake of the Cindy Blackman Project.

More about Lincoln Center's Women in Jazz Festival

The Shanghai String Quartet

Founded in 1983, the New York-based Shanghai Quartet is known for programs that meld Eastern and Western composers and highlight new works. They perform live in our studio.

Shanghai String Quartet web site