Pavarotti: Ron Howard's biopic of the tenor superstar

Pavarotti. Luciano Pavarotti, that is, the unmistakably-Italian operatic sensation who was celebrated across the globe and sadly passed away nearly 12 years ago. The world's best-loved tenor requires little introduction – after all, only a hefty dose of superstardom will do when it comes to selling a biopic under the title of a single surname.

The official trailer for Pavarotti, released earlier this month, hints tantalisingly at the opportunity to view the multifaceted superstar from all angles. One moment, he's belting out Puccini’s Nessun dorma in resplendent white tie at the 1990 FIFA World Cup; the next, backstage, nerves threaten to overcome him as he mutters, 'I go to die'; later still, he's belly-laughing while cooking spaghetti on TV in striped tracksuits.

Diverse friendships were the product of Pavarotti's far-reaching musical and humanitarian work, and we're offered glimpses of many a glamorous cameo – Bono and Stevie Wonder, applause from Princess Diana and a pally handshake with former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

There’ll be something for everyone, here, such was the stature of the man. But devoted fans can rest assured his legacy is in the safe hands of Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon). The American filmmaker is no stranger to the genre, having directed The Beatles: Eights Days a Week – The Touring Years to critical acclaim in 2016. Condensing the story of a man of such gargantuan presence into two hours' traffic will take some doing, although if our first glimpse of the finished product is anything to go by, there's enough stunning footage at hand (much of it previously-unseen) for the story to tell itself.

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until mid-July for Pavarotti to grace our screens – a month later than in the US. But hold tight; amongst the crowd of real-life subjects featuring in films this year, Luciano Pavarotti looks set – characteristically – to leave an enormous impression.