One of the greatest tenors of all time and one of the biggest stars of rock and pop joined their voices to perform one of the most poetic and beautiful hymns about Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist.
The result was surprising. On the one hand, Luciano Pavarotti’s operatic voice soars over the crowd; on the other, Sting’s gentle, intimate tenor draws them near.
The lyrics were composed in the thirteenth century by St. Thomas Aquinas, and they have been arranged by several composers, but this is the most famous version, composed by César Franck, in 1872.
This unforgettable performance took place at the first concert “Pavarotti & Friends”, held in the birthplace of Pavarotti, Modena (Italy) in 1992.
In Latin, “The bread of angels” (“Panis Angelicus”) expresses the surprise of the “servant, poor and humble” Eucharistic believer who consumes Lord. “Take us where we aspire: the light in which you dwell…”
Pavarotti died in 2007, but still we remain impressed by the grandeur of this performance.