Anne Midgette, the New York Times critic who co-authored a tell-all book about Pavarotti with his former manager, says that at the tenor's peak, the brilliance of his voice was incomparable.

NPR: Opera Legend Luciano Pavarotti Dies at Age 71

Here's opera critic Anne Midgette speaking in 2004.

NPR: Profile: Luciano Pavarotti

Ms. ANNE MIDGETTE (Music Critic, The New York Times): Pavarotti himself will often say he has an unmistakable sound, but it's true that if you hear a Pavarotti recording and you immediately know it's Pavarotti.

NPR: Profile: Luciano Pavarotti