Sunday, May 16, 1999

PAVAROTTI SAYS ‘BRAVO’ TO TRUMPETER FOR ASO

Steve Barnes

There’s been a lot of laudatory talk about the Albany Symphony Orchestra’s new principal trumpet, Eric Berlin, who just finished his first season with the orchestra.

Proof that the praise heaped upon Berlin by area aficionados wasn’t exaggerated came during rehearsals with Luciano Pavarotti, whom the ASO accompanied for his recent concert at the Pepsi Arena. After Berlin played the mariachi-style flourish at the beginning of “Granada,” Pavarotti called out, “Bravissimo!”

Later, also during the rehearsal, Berlin played the trumpet line in “O Sole Mio” fairly straight. Pavarotti told him, “Don’t be afraid to be vulgar.” Berlin shouted back, “I can do vulgar!” and played the bit again, full of voluptuousness.

“Pavarotti,” reports Berlin, “had a huge smile on his face and gave me a thumbs-up.”

The tenor grinned again when, during the concert, the audience heard the trumpet intro and roared with recognition and anticipation.

Following the concert, Berlin went to get an autograph. Pavarotti told him, “Mr. First Trumpet! Those lips, those lips! When you kiss the girls, they must do for you what they do for me!”

Although Pavarotti told Berlin, “We should take you on tour with us,” the Boston-based trumpeter isn’t planning to leave the ASO. He’s signed a contract for next season and will teach in Beantown, at music schools and Northeastern University, where his Majestic Brass Quintet is in residence.