| King of the High C's | | | | skillfully executed his talent, but also that he shared his |
| Can you imagine being so affected by a single musical | | | | passion with the world. There is risk in showing so |
| performance that you would return 17 curtain calls in | | | | much of yourself, in revealing your passions so fully. |
| appreciation? That was what the audience gave | | | | Perhaps not all of us want to be stretched to such |
| Luciano Pavarotti after he masterfully delivered nine | | | | limits. It would be easy to say, "Well, I don't possess |
| high C's in a row during a performance of Donizetti's | | | | such a unique talent," and leave it at that. Yet it is good |
| "La Fille du Regiment" at New York's Metropolitan | | | | to challenge ourselves and to realize that we all have |
| Opera in 1972. The high C, an octave above middle C | | | | the capacity to share experiences that make us feel |
| on the piano, is one of the highest notes in the tenor | | | | happy and connected to life, to have the joy of those |
| range. Approaching it means stepping out to the edge, | | | | experiences spill over to others. When we do this — |
| even for a master. Pavarotti described it this way: | | | | use our gifts, share what brings us joy, and touch |
| "When singing high notes, I feel like a show jumper | | | | others in some way — we are hitting our High C's in |
| before a 2-meters-plus bar. Stretched to my limits. | | | | life. Hitting Your High C Whether or not you've ever felt |
| Excited and happy, but with a strong undercurrent of | | | | what Pavarotti describes, you have something in |
| fear. The moment I actually hit the note, I almost lose | | | | common with him. You possess a gift that is uniquely |
| consciousness. A physical, animal sensation seizes me. | | | | yours and when expressed in its fullness, you will |
| Then, after it has been successfully negotiated, I regain | | | | absolutely know it. The people around you will, too. This |
| control." | | | | Week, consider: - What activity makes you so happy |
| To The Limit | | | | that you can't imagine life without it? - What do enjoy |
| Pavarotti's career was not without criticism and | | | | doing so much that you love to share it with others? |
| performances that missed the mark. Yet his | | | | - What is High C for you? What passion would you |
| extraordinary talent, charisma, and unique ability to | | | | like to bring to center stage in your life? "Am I afraid of |
| ignite a love for music cannot be denied. What I | | | | high notes? Of course I am afraid. What sane man is |
| appreciate about Pavarotti's legacy is not only that he | | | | not? |