Concert at The Italian Embassy Washington D.C.
My StoryHow Pavarotti Inspired me!Luciano Pavarotti is the man! In 1982, via a late-night television commercial advertising a double album of opera arias, I was moved and inspired to accept a full voice scholarship to study opera instead of joining the U.S. Marine Corps in Force Recon. My childhood dream was to be a U.S. Marine: drill instructor, force recon, White House guard, or police officer. I grew up in a Navy town, Pensacola, FL, so I knew all about the Marine Corps from spending many hours through my school years at NAS (Naval Air Station and Cory Station Pensacola.) I loved how the Marines carried themselves and wore their uniforms. I hung out at the Recruiter station just to be around them and pick their brains. I never thought about being a professional musician. It never entered my mind. Although, I loved music...especially Jazz as a kid... I studied and played the trumpet in middle school. Once I entered high school, I wanted to play Varsity Football and run track and field. I did not want to be in the marching band; I wanted to be the guy on the field running the football. So I tried out for Varsity Football and Track and Field and made the teams.When I entered the 11th grade I was inspired to sing in the high school choral group called the Escambians. They were the #1-ranked high school choral group in the state of Florida. I auditioned and made it. We sang many classical choral selections and competed in vocal competitions on a state-wide level and won the first-place prizes both my junior and senior years. I was very good at imitating voices, so I studied and learned three popular vocal performers: Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, and Neil Diamond. I won the state prize of best pop vocal soloist my junior and senior years singing Neil Diamond and Lionel Richie tunes.It was 1982, and I was nearing the end of my senior year. My choral director, Mrs. Mary Joe Robertson, told me that I should consider studying voice and become an opera singer. I had a good laugh! She encouraged me to audition for a vocal scholarship at Pensacola Junior College (PJC). She knew the head of the choral and vocal department and made a few calls to set up the audition. It was then that I learned my first solo classical song. Much to my surprise, I was offered a full vocal scholarship. It was a 180 degree change from what I thought I was going to do when I graduated high school...this decision could change all of my childhood dreams of wanting to be a U.S. Marine or a police officer. I went home and told my parents the exciting news. They were thrilled! I was trying to make a decision of what I should do...Within the next three weeks, I saw a commercial on TV selling a double album set of the great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti. As I watched and listened to him sing on this commercial, I was totally blown away. I immediately took down the mailing address and ordered the albums. It was at that moment that I made the choice to accept the scholarship and pursue opera - my new dream. My whole life changed in that moment of seeing and hearing that amazing man sing! I fell in love with opera and I have NEVER regretted my choice or looked back! I attended PJC (Pensacola Junior College) and went on to attend Loyola University New Orleans on a vocal performance scholarship.In 1986 I saw The U.S. Army Chorus perform at the American Choral Directors Association Convention in Nashville, TN. They blew me away! I said to my professor at the time, Dr. Larry Wyatt, that if I ever joined the Army, I would love to be in The U.S. Army Chorus. Two years later, Dr. Wyatt received a phone call from the director of The U.S. Army Chorus, Major Gary Lamb, inquiring if he knew of a young tenor who was qualified to be a member of the world famous U.S. Army Chorus. Dr. Wyatt recommended me for a chance to audition for that position! As it turned out, Dr. Wyatt had served several years as a U.S. Army Band Officer at the Army School of Music and had commanded Maj. Lamb early in his Army career. WOW! What a small world!Next thing I knew, I was on a flight to Arlington, Virginia, where I auditioned for the job and it was offered to me...I literally jumped for joy and was off to Boot Camp. I am a most fortunate man-I got my cake and am eating it, too. Since 1988, I have been serving my country while using my God-given voice to represent our Great Army and our Nation as a musical ambassador. I am an American Soldier. My mission is to serve as a musical ambassador of the American Combat Soldier-instilling pride in our troops, promoting a spirit of patriotism within our Nation, and sharing a universal vision of peace, liberty, and freedom through music.God Bless America!ARMY STRONG!
Because of his great gift from God, which he unselfishly shared with the world …, I am following in his shadow today. There has not been a day that has gone by since I was eighteen when I was not listening to him sing and or watching him on a video, studying his every sound and move and his flawless technique. Maestro Pavarotti changed the face of opera throughout the entire world. He put Opera and Italian Folk Song on the Global Map for all mankind to hear and enjoy. He has brought so much love, joy, and passion to all who hear him… and has tapped into every emotion a human being can feel and experience when listening to his golden throat of pure heavenly sunshine.
The Gift Cultivated! The Daily Self Discipline to Polish the Heavenly Diamond in his Throat! The Voice! The Power! The Passion! The Finesse! The Artistry! The Charisma! The Charm! The Authenticity! The Man! Created by God to share with the world! That is exactly what he did! I will always be grateful to him and his contribution to me as a young tenor who adores him and for his contribution to this most wonderful and complete Art Form in the World! Opera! Long live the KING of High C’s. God Bless LUCIANO PAVAROTTI and his family! I LOVE YOU BELLO LUCIANO ! Antonio Giuliano |
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