People: Oct. 21, 1985

Though the role might have winded any singer, Luciano Pavarotti easily sustained the ringing high notes, the plaintive appoggiaturas, the hummingbird runs and trills. Not his own, but those of 150 hopeful young singers. Bespectacled and wrapped in a colorful shawl, the celebrated tenor spent the past two weeks judging the finals of the second Opera Company of Philadelphia/ Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition. “If you win this competition,” said Pavarotti at the outset, “it promises you an opportunity. But more important, if you do not win, it doesn’t mean you will not have a career.” Still, the expansive Italian could not designate many losers. The day the competition ended, Pavarotti celebrated with an early cake for his 50th birthday and announced he had decided on 54 winners. There is more winnowing yet to be done, however; only some will get to sing with him in upcoming Philadelphia productions. “They are all scared to death,” he said. “And I tell you they are all winners.”