Luciano Pavarotti, Brian Eno, Bono, The Edge – Miss Sarajevo

Luciano Pavarotti, Brian Eno, Bono, The Edge – Miss Sarajevo.

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The story behind “Miss Sarajevo” and the collaboration between Luciano Pavarotti, Brian Eno, and Bono is a fascinating one, born from war, artistic passion, and a shared desire to help. It’s a perfect example of how music can transcend genres for a humanitarian cause.

The Context: The Siege of Sarajevo

To understand the collaboration, one must first understand the context. From 1992 to 1996, the city of Sarajevo was under a brutal siege during the Bosnian War. It was the longest siege of a capital city in modern history. Amidst the horror, a profound moment of defiance occurred: a beauty pageant was held in a basement in 1993. As a contestant walked the runway, she held up a banner that read: “DON’T LET THEM KILL US.” This event was captured in a documentary of the same name, “Miss Sarajevo,” by journalist Bill Carter.

The Key Players and Their Roles

1. Bono and The Edge (U2)

• Connection to the Crisis: Bill Carter managed to get through to U2 during their Zoo TV Tour in 1993. He moved them with his firsthand accounts of the siege. U2 began broadcasting his reports via satellite on their massive concert screens, bringing the reality of Sarajevo to millions of concert-goers.
• The Musical Genesis: Deeply affected, Bono and The Edge wanted to create a song that captured the spirit, tragedy, and defiance of the people of Sarajevo, inspired specifically by the beauty pageant story.

2. Brian Eno

• The Collaborator: At the time, Brian Eno was already a close collaborator with U2, having produced their albums The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree, and Achtung Baby. He was also working with them on their experimental side project, Passengers.
• The “Passengers” Project: The song “Miss Sarajevo” was conceived as part of this album, Original Soundtracks 1, which was a collection of songs written for imaginary films. For this project, “Miss Sarajevo” had a very real inspiration.

3. Luciano Pavarotti

• The Humanitarian Stage: Pavarotti was not just the world’s most famous opera tenor; he was a massive humanitarian. His annual “Pavarotti & Friends” charity concerts in Modena, Italy, brought together stars from all genres to raise money for various causes.
• The Invitation: Bono had performed at a Pavarotti & Friends concert in 1995 for the benefit of the War Child charity. A strong mutual respect was formed. When the “Passengers” project was underway, the idea emerged that the song needed an operatic voice to represent a specific, poignant moment in the narrative.

The Cooperation on “Miss Sarajevo”

The collaboration wasn’t a typical studio session with all parties present. It was a carefully constructed piece where each artist contributed a vital layer.

1. The Song’s Structure:
The song is structured in distinct movements, reflecting its cinematic inspiration:

• The Brian Eno / U2 Foundation: The track begins with a haunting, ambient soundscape typical of Eno’s influence, over which Bono sings the verses. The lyrics paint a picture of mundane life (“Is there a time for keeping your distance?”) violently interrupted by war (“a time for kerosene is everywhere”). The music is atmospheric and brooding.
• The Chorus: A more traditional, anthemic rock chorus led by The Edge’s guitar and Bono’s passionate vocal: “Here she comes, heads turn around…”

2. Pavarotti’s Iconic Contribution:

• The Climax: The song builds to a powerful climax. As the music swells, the rock instrumentation falls away, and the unmistakable voice of Luciano Pavarotti enters.
• The Aria: He sings the aria “Canto Alla Vita” (Song to Life), with lyrics written for the occasion by Bono and Italian composer Francesco Sartori. His soaring, operatic tenor represents the moment the beauty queen appears on the runway—a breathtaking, transcendent moment of dignity and beauty amidst the chaos and rubble. It is the emotional core of the song.
• The Recording: Pavarotti recorded his part separately in Italy. It was then produced by Brian Eno and woven into the track created by U2. The result is a seamless, powerful fusion of rock and opera.

3. The Live Performance at the Pavarotti & Friends Concert (1995):
The most famous manifestation of this cooperation was the live performance at the Pavarotti & Friends concert in Modena on September 12, 1995.

• The Scene: Bono and Brian Eno (on keyboards) performed the song on stage with Pavarotti.
• The Magic: The performance was electric. Bono sang the verses with raw emotion, and when the time came for the aria, he knelt respectfully before Pavarotti, who delivered his part with immense power and feeling. It was a symbolic gesture, showing the rock star deferring to the master of opera, united for a single cause.
• The Aftermath: This performance was broadcast worldwide and captured on the concert film and album, cementing “Miss Sarajevo” as one of the most memorable and powerful charity singles of the 1990s.

Summary of the Relationship

• Bono & Pavarotti: A relationship of mutual admiration between a rock star activist and an operatic legend, built on a shared platform of humanitarianism. It was a professional friendship centered around using their fame for good.
• Bono & Brian Eno: A deep, long-standing creative partnership between a band and their visionary producer. Eno was the architectural sound designer who helped U2 build the sonic landscape for “Miss Sarajevo.”
• Pavarotti & Eno: Their connection was purely through the project and Bono. They were two masters from utterly different musical universes, brought together by a shared goal.

In essence, “Miss Sarajevo” is a testament to the power of collaboration. It merged U2’s anthemic rock, Brian Eno’s ambient textures, and Pavarotti’s operatic grandeur to create a timeless protest song and a poignant tribute to human resilience in the face of war.

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Luciano Pavarotti: The King of the High C’s

Luciano Pavarotti was an Italian operatic tenor who became a global superstar, bringing classical music to the masses with his powerful, resonant voice, remarkable top notes, and infectious, joyful personality.

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Early Life and Beginnings (1935-1961)

• Born: October 12, 1935, on the outskirts of Modena, Italy.
• Family: His father, Fernando, was a baker and an amateur tenor; his mother, Adele, worked in a cigar factory. The family was musical, but not professional.
• Early Influences: Pavarotti’s childhood was shaped by World War II. His first musical inspiration came from his father’s extensive record collection, featuring tenors like Beniamino Gigli and Giuseppe Di Stefano.
• A Turning Point: After a brief consideration of a career as a professional soccer goalkeeper, his mother convinced him to train as a teacher. He taught elementary school for two years.
• Vocal Training: At 19, he began serious vocal studies with Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in Modena. Recognizing his raw talent, Pola taught him for free. Later, he studied with Ettore Campogalliani.

Rise to Stardom (1961-1972)

• Operatic Debut: He made his operatic debut as Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème in Reggio Emilia in 1961. It was a resounding success.
• International Breakthrough:
  • 1963: He substituted for Giuseppe Di Stefano at the Royal Opera House in London, gaining significant attention.
  • 1965: His U.S. debut with the Greater Miami Opera was followed by a landmark event: his first performance at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, again as Rodolfo. This cemented his status as a star. His performance of “Ah! mes amis” from Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment, which features nine high C’s, earned him the title “King of the High C’s.”
• The Three Tenors: In 1990, a new phenomenon was born. For the FIFA World Cup in Rome, Pavarotti performed with fellow star tenors Plácido Domingo and José Carreras. The “Three Tenors” concert was a global sensation, selling millions of records and introducing opera to a vast popular audience. They continued this partnership for three subsequent World Cups.

Global Superstardom and Crossover Success (1970s-2000s)

Pavarotti transcended the world of opera like no tenor before him.

• The Pavarotti Phenomenon: His charismatic stage presence, large frame (he was often seen with a white handkerchief), and accessible personality made him a media darling.
• Television and Large Venues: He began performing in massive arenas and parks, reaching audiences of hundreds of thousands. His televised concerts made him a household face.
• Crossover Collaborations: He famously sang with pop and rock stars, including Bono and U2 on “Miss Sarajevo,” Sting, Eric Clapton, and Jon Bon Jovi. His album Pavarotti & Friends featured these collaborations for charity.
• Charity Work: He was a dedicated humanitarian, raising millions for refugees and various causes through his concerts. He was a UN Messenger of Peace.

Personal Life, Challenges, and Legacy

• Personal Life: He married his first wife, Adua Veroni, in 1961, with whom he had three daughters. The marriage ended after he had a long-term relationship with his much younger assistant, Nicoletta Mantovani, whom he married in 2003. They had one daughter, Alice.
• Later Years and Criticism: In his later years, he faced criticism for canceling performances frequently. His voice, while still remarkable, began to show signs of wear. His final performance was at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
• Illness and Death: He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006. Despite surgery, his health declined, and he died at his home in Modena on September 6, 2007. His funeral was a national event, attended by thousands and broadcast worldwide.

Why Pavarotti Was So Iconic

1. The Voice: Possessing a beautiful, bright, and Italianate timbre, his voice was instantly recognizable. Its power, clarity, and his effortless mastery of the bel canto style were unparalleled.
2. The High Notes: His secure and thrilling top notes, particularly his high C, became his signature.
3. Charisma and Communication: He had a rare ability to connect with an audience, whether in an opera house or a stadium. He made people feel the emotion of the music, even if they didn’t understand the words.
4. Popularizer of Opera: More than any other classical artist, he is credited with democratizing opera, bringing it out of the elite theaters and into the living rooms of millions.

Luciano Pavarotti was not just a great singer; he was a cultural force. He combined supreme vocal talent with a larger-than-life personality to become the most famous opera star of the 20th century and a true ambassador of classical music to the world.