The King and I

July 26, 2004
In this outspoken and entertaining book, the authors chronicle Breslin's 36 years as publicist and manager for tenor Pavarotti, from the early days when the singer was, Breslin says, "a very beautiful, simple, lovely guy," to the final years of his career, when Breslin found him "a very determined, aggressive, and somewhat unhappy superstar." In Breslin's frank telling, Pavarotti emerges as a charming but utterly impossible man with an outsized ego, a need to dominate, a total disregard for other people (from secretaries and coaches to world-renowned conductors) and a passion for food, women, horses and money. Breslin is blunt about Pavarotti's many quirks and foibles, such as his superstitions, his inability to read music and his frequent failure to learn the words of his opera parts in time for performances. Accounts of the singer's missteps in recent years, such as the embarrassing final Metropolitan Opera appearances, are especially unflattering. Tenor and manager parted by mutual agreement, but Breslin doesn't take the separation lightly. Pavarotti seems unaffected by the acrimony; the book concludes with an interview he gave Midgette, a classical music reviewer for the New York Times
, in which he expresses appreciation for his longtime manager and friend.

June 1, 2004
The fat man keeps singing. Pavarotti's manager of 36 years joins with New York Times music critic Midgette in this tell-all about the opera star's career.

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2004
At his career peak, Pavarotti was called the king of the high Cs. But Breslin, his manager for 36 years, called him Mr. Brain; he knew everything, you see. With his clear, projecting voice, Pavarotti rose to fame with a strategy of impressive solo concertizing that eventually propelled him to the operatic stage. His first loves, however, were food and the society of family and friends. Generous, he also had a lazy streak that later stunted the development of his repertoire. He had trouble memorizing words, and he never read music. He moved minimally onstage, preferring to emote through singing, not action; his foray into movies, " Yes, Giorgio," was a near disaster. Breslin's forte was his stubbornness at getting everything his client wanted--and he is driven by money. Sprinkled with many stories of other clients and Pavarotti's costars, the book is more about the manager-client relationship, including the coddling and the epithets, than about Pavarotti per se. Nevertheless, its stories of a star's rise and fall are told from the heart.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)

September 1, 2004
Breslin, a classical music publicist and manager, and Midgette, a music reviewer for the New York Times and contributor to Opera News, offer an engrossing, no-holds-barred treatment of the life and musical journeys of superstar tenor Luciano Pavarotti up to 2003. Episodes dealing with Pavarotti's appetites for various foodstuffs, the making of the film Yes, Giorgio, and the Three Tenors phenomenon are especially enjoyable; the role of the almighty dollar in decision making and Pavarotti's many self-indulgences are also emphasized. Breslin's crass and earthy style, which may result from exasperation with the constant demands of Pavarotti and other high-handed artists, wears a bit thin. though . Fortunately, the tenor has a short interview with Midgette at the end to explain some of his behaviors; without this, he comes across as rather a monster. The current book contrasts with the somewhat dated though still useful Pavarotti: My Own Story (1981) and its sequel, Pavarotti: My World. Sure to be in demand; recommended for public libraries serving a clientele with strong constitutions. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/04.] Barry Zaslow, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.