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  • Published: 18 November 2011
  • ISBN: 9781780573168
  • Imprint: Mainstream Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 304

The King and I

The Uncensored Tale of Luciano Pavarotti's Rise to Fame by his Manager, Friend and Sometime Adversary



The ultimate backstage book about the greatest opera star of the past century – a hugely entertaining read.

In 1967, Luciano Pavarotti was an up-and-coming young tenor with a voice far more impressive than his stage technique or presence. So Decca, his record company, told him, 'Luciano, you're a real nice guy. So you need a real bastard to do your publicity.' Enter Herbert Breslin. The two of them hit it off and thus began a professional association and a friendship that lasted over 36 years.

The King and I is the story of that relationship, during which Breslin guided what he calls, justifiably, 'the greatest career in classical music', moving Pavarotti out of the opera house and into the arms of the mass public. He and Pavarotti changed the landscape of opera and Breslin relates the story of their journey in a candid, witty fashion that is often hysterically frank and profane. His portrait of his friend and client is full of hilarious details that could only come from a true insider.

The King and I
is the ultimate backstage book about the greatest opera star of the past century - and the last word comes from none other than Luciano Pavarotti himself.

  • Published: 18 November 2011
  • ISBN: 9781780573168
  • Imprint: Mainstream Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 304

About the authors

Herbert Breslin

Herbert Breslin has been a classical music publicist and manager for many of the greatest performers of our time for the past 40 years.

Anne Midgette

Anne Midgette is a regular reviewer of classical music for the New York Times and has also contributed to Opera News and the Wall Street Journal.

Praise for The King and I

Reveals the extraordinary greed, passions and ego of Pavarotti . . . a candid memoir

Mail on Sunday

Breslin is a sharp, racy and very witty raconteur . . . richly entertaining

Sunday Times

If you're the kind of opera lover who thrives on backstage gossip, The King and I will be just the ticket

Independent on Sunday

The most candid and hilarious exposé of operatic venality ever to make it past a lawyer's squint. With the glee of a jilted lover, Breslin castigates Pavarotti's greed for food, for fame, for sex

Evening Standard

Herbert Breslin's unbounded affection and deep admiration for his friend and client of 36 years shines through in this thoroughly enjoyable book

Irish Independent