Tenor Luciano Pavarotti made his international recital debut on February 1, 1973, presented by the Harriman-Jewell Series. That first performance was held in William Jewell College’s John Gano Memorial Chapel. Perspiring due to nerves and a lingering cold, the tenor clutched a handkerchief throughout the debut; the prop became a signature part of his solo performances.

Ten years later, on the occasion of Pavarotti’s fourth recital presented by the Series, it was founder and artistic director Richard Harriman who shared the spotlight. “I want to bring the best,” Dr. Harriman announced to a national audience on NBC’s Today Show in 1983. “A noble call, but who would answer?” reporter Mike Leonard replied. “Luciano Pavarotti, for one,” he continued. “It was Richard Harriman who did Pavarotti a favor, giving the relatively unknown opera singer a chance to make his recital debut.” The late tenor sang five recitals for the presenting organization that Dr. Harriman began in 1965.

The Series has since become a "tenor magnet," playing host for the American recital debuts of several leading tenors, including Francisco Araiza (1982), Ben Heppner (1997), Marcelo Álvarez (2001), Juan Diego Flórez (2002), Daniil Shtoda (2002), Salvatore Licitra (2005), and Clifton Forbis (2006). Flórez, the sensational Peruvian tenor, returns to the Series to sing a Subscribers' Concert on Sunday, May 11, 2008.

Richard Harriman’s uncanny ability to recognize star-making talent was not developed through formal study (his career path began as an English professor), but as an impassioned arts patron. His taste, intuition, and gentle personality are regarded throughout the performing arts industry. “It is a joy to work with someone who is so knowledgeable, so ahead of the curve,” said Andrew Grossman, vice president of Columbia Artists Management, New York City.

Listen to Pavarotti in an October 28, 1973, recital at Brooklyn College. The program is nearly identical to his first recital sung on the William Jewell College campus on February 1, 1973. Eugene Kohn was the pianist for both recitals. [When the feed player loads, select "Luciano Pavarotti Recital- complete- NYC 10/28/73" from the menu.]

Richard Harriman has attracted the finest talent in the world ranging from Yo-Yo Ma to Leontyne Price to the American Ballet Theatre. “Cezanne called the Louvre ‘the book in which we learn to read,’” said Terry Teachout, a Jewell alumnus and drama critic for the Wall Street Journal. “The Harriman program was the book in which I learned to see, hear, and love the performing arts. It gave me a golden yardstick of taste—one I still use to this day.”

Dr. Harriman’s persistence in bringing internationally renowned artists has resulted in creating audiences who appreciate, expect and support the best in the arts. “No one will ever be able to calculate how the presence of some of the world’s most superb artists before area innocents influenced the development of resident music, dance and theater companies,” The Kansas City Star wrote of the Harriman-Jewell Series. “What Harriman has done...has multiplied in countless, wonderful ways.” Learn more >>