Meeting Maestro Pavarotti!

I've been with the San Diego ConVis Bureau for 26 years, and I must admit, I never experienced one boring day in my life as a ConVis employee!
I was able to hobnob with Tony Curtis at the Hotel Del's 100th birthday and also had the opportunity to meet and greet some of the stars of the time who happened to come to San Diego for one reason or another, i.e., Joe DiMaggio.

But I will NEVER forget the assignment I received one day in June, 1985. If memory doesn't fail me, the Sheraton called ConVis to see if there was an Italian-speaking person who could present Pavarotti with the key to the city, and other San Diego gifts. This was a press conference to announce Pavarotti's 1986 performance at the (then) Sports Arena, which I understand from a U-T article in today's paper was one of the most successful events ever held at the Arena, with almost 100% sell out.

Needless to say, I was in AWE, being an Italian American, lover of opera, and finally meeting the master.

I still recall that I was shaking in my shoes during the presentation, most likely making many mistakes in my well-versed Italian speech, but this wonderful man finally put my jitters at rest by placing a big kiss on my cheek and telling me, in Italian, "If this is the reception I get in San Diego, I will come back here time and again."

And he did. Our world has lost a master and I am so privileged to have been so close and touched by him, even for a small moment in time.

Giovanna DiBona

10631 Vinedale Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 - Phone (818) 767-3413 - Fax: (818) 767-1410