Luciano Pavarotti's three daughters Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana, together with his widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, have requested that the Trump campaign stops using the Maestro's voice.
A statement sent to the newspaper of Pavarotti's hometown, the Gazzetta di Modena, reads:
We understand that the aria “Nessun dorma” sung by Luciano Pavarotti is being used as part of the soundtrack of Donald Trump's campaign. As his family, we have a duty to remind people that the values of brotherhood and solidarity that Luciano Pavarotti expressed throughout his artistic career are incompatible with the world vision proposed by the candidate Donald Trump.
Therefore, as other artists involved have already done themselves, we want to express our disapproval of such use.
‘Other artists' include Adele, Neil Young, R.E.M., Neil Young and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.
Of course, the impresarios of Trump's camp are not interested in the Princess and stars that the Turandot aria mentions, but in just one word, the final word, ‘vincerò' – I will win.
Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.
His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.
To use any recorded music surely needs permission as a matter of course. If Trump and his advisers cannot get that right then scant lack of respect is their modus operandi. The Pavarotti family are totally within their rights to ask this recording of Nessum Dorma be withdrawn. Whether the Trump entourage gives a fig about how incompatible their politics are to the family and memory of Luciano Pavarotti is debatable !
As far as I am concerned the Pavarotti family, who I believe live in Italy, should stay out of American politics. They, obviously, have been brainwashed by the liberal biased media. Pavarotti, unfortunately is gone, so using his recording IMO, enhances his legacy. Pavarotti did not compose Nessum Dorma, so I do not think the Pavarotti family has any legal standing in this matter. Americans do not need to hear the phony, sanctimonious and ignorant comments of foreigners.
Luciano Pavarotti – who, I believe, worked extensively in America and is well known in the country – has a very distinctive voice; unique. The Pavarotti family obviously are not saying to not use the aria Nessun dorma, but to not use Pavarotti singing the aria. I imagine that they think that Trump using his voice will not enhance but harm his legacy.
Tom Ponti – you probably have never created anything of value in your life – such as Pavarotti’s magnificent rendition of Nessun Dorma. if you had, you would not want just anyone to use it whenever they wished without your permission…..especially if it was for someone you thought represented evil, dishonest, hateful, divisive actions.
besides the fact that there are copyright LAWS or don’t you believe in those either?
You obviously know nothing of American politics, except what you read in the dishonest liberal press. If Trump is breaking the law, then Pavarotti’s greedy family could sue. Just out of curiosity, what is your claim to fame due to your creativity?
– u know nothing of what I know in politics – u foolishly assume because I don’t agree with you, I must know nothing. untrue.
– u keep calling the liberal press dishonest. shall we look at trump’s record of lies? please. he wouldn’t know the truth if it wore a name tag.
– u call the Pavarotti family greedy. why? it is their family’s property. would u like it if the democrats took something precious of yours and used it in their campaign?
Gosh, what a cross little chap you are. Have you tried eating more green vegetables?
Lots of love from London
Pavarotti – or his estate – has the rights to the particular recording. Stop being so nasty. Whether political or not, no one has the right to use any recording, composition, artwork or writing for commercial purposes without the permission – ad presumably a licensing fee – of the copyright holder. Usage is only allowed for a “snippet” for critical purposes – i.e. quoting a sentence of a book for a review.
I think it’s quite clear that Pavarotti’s family does not want Pavarotti’s voice to be associated with Donald Trump. That’s fair and reasonable. Pavarotti was a humanitarian, decent, kind and life-loving person, not a hater and a demagogue like Trump. I’m American and I don’t put restrictions on what anyone expresses about our presidential election. Mr Ponti, you are full of vitriol and just grinding your axe.
QUE ES NESSUN DORMA DISCULPA LA IGNORANCIA DALE
Mr. Ponti, your complete ignorance of copyright and intellectual property law merely serve to further undermine your specious argument.
Tom Ponti, I empathize with your position absolutely. At the same time though, if yours or one of your beloveds’ works were adopted for use in a way that seemed unsavory hopefully you would feel the same way.
Third parties should not use others’ works without permission and even if the legality of it is in question, it is still wholly unsavory to do so.
As I said before, IF there is a law against what the Trump campaign is doing by using Luciano’s rcording then the Pavarotti family can sue them if they are so upset. The fact is though that Luciano and his family made lots of money off his recordings, especially Nessum Dorma . I am sorry if I upset anyone here, but to me, this is all much ado about very little.
Bravo the late great Pavarotti and his family
Carlo Bergonzi was better anyway