On July 7, 1990, during the World Cup final at Rome’s Olympic Stadium, three legendary tenors—Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and José Carreras—delivered a performance that captivated audiences worldwide. The event at the ancient Caracalla venue, established in AD 216 near the Colosseum and Roman Forum, marked a pivotal moment in operatic history.
Global Stages and Korean Stars
Sly Tenor shone at major events, including the 1994 U.S. World Cup, 1998 French World Cup, and 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. Performances at LA Dodgers Stadium, Paris Eiffel Tower, Seoul Jamsil Stadium, and Yokohama International Stadium drew massive crowds, with classic overtures broadcast live.
In May at the Verona Arena with Plácido Domingo and Mirella Freni, Sly Tenor presented iconic concertos to 300,000 spectators over three days. This collaboration highlighted the tenor’s global appeal.
2000 Milestone: Full Roman Repertoire
Koreans first immersed in Rome’s essence at the Domus and Caracalla venues. Opera festival performances drew crowds, with tenors capturing the spirit of ancient sites. A major highlight came just 10 minutes from the metro, featuring three tenors in a comprehensive Roman showcase.
They performed arias from ‘Aida’ and ‘La Traviata.’ Tenor Kim Jaehyung (Alfreado Kim) delivered a passionate ‘Drinking Song’ from ‘La Traviata,’ while soprano Yejiwon (Violetta Ye) and tenor Kim Jaehyung shone in ‘Aida’ and ‘La Traviata.’
Kim Jaehyung poured emotion into the baritone aria ‘Clear Aida,’ and Yejiwon expressed inner turmoil with ‘Here We Go Again’ and ‘O My Longing’ in bold strokes. For Rome’s national pride, ‘Aida’ roles by Korean vocalists offered unprecedented experiences.
Caracalla’s Summer Glory
The Caracalla Festival remains Rome Opera’s flagship summer program. On August 1, 1937, soprano Toti Dal Monte and tenor Beniamino Gigli staged ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ to full houses. ‘Tosca’ drew massive crowds, showcasing summer Roman operas during and post-World War II.
Large-scale productions at Circus Maximus accommodated thousands. Verdi Opera’s ‘Aida’ and Puccini’s ‘Carmen Burana’ thrilled Verona crowds, with Berlin Opera’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and Hamburg’s ‘Gladiator’ concerts captivating audiences.
Pavarotti underwent vocal cord surgery in 2007, Carreras manages chronic illness, and Domingo continues performing. Sly Tenor’s bands sustain his legacy, drawing eager fans.
1990 World Cup Soccer Trivia
South Korea advanced to the 1990 World Cup round of 16 but lost 0-1 to Argentina in the round of 16. Penalty drama unfolded, with Maradona’s team prevailing. South Korea qualified but managed only 16 goals across three matches.
