Wichita ? Fresh from a monthlong vacation in Barbados, Luciano Pavarotti kicked off the Wichita Grand Opera’s inaugural season in high style, belting out favorites and oozing charisma.

At the invitation of Wichita’s new opera group, Pavarotti stepped on stage Saturday night at the Kansas Coliseum before 6,400 fans who paid between $20 and $500 per ticket.

Wearing a tuxedo with tails and clutching a white handkerchief, he seemed to command his Kansas audience, whose members were fascinated by the opera great’s presence in Wichita.

Allora Crownover, of Wichita, squirmed in her seat from excitement.

“When I heard he was coming, I dropped my teeth,” Crownover said. “I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it.”

Those who bought top-dollar tickets had nearby seats and the chance to see Pavarotti up close at a black-tie ball after the show.

Crownover was perfectly happy with her $20 seat. But by intermission, she wasn’t sure a seat was necessary.

“I just want to rise up out of it with every note,” she said.

Pavarotti arrived in Wichita on Wednesday to prepare for the concert, his first in Kansas. Looking tan and relaxed in a billowy melon shirt, black jeans and white tennis shoes, Pavarotti received a gold key to the city from Mayor Bob Knight.

“I am so very happy and proud to be here,” Pavarotti said. “I was never here; this is a place where I would like to go, and this is the best moment now.”

Asked about the difference between singing in Wichita and singing in New York, he said, “In New York, my girlfriend is waiting for me. That is a big difference.”

One more thing: why Wichita?

“Why not?” he answered. “Every concert is the same in terms of producing the voice, in terms of reaching the audience with the sound, and in terms of moving them while I am singing. That is the same everywhere in this little hall where we are now (for the press conference) or for half-a-million people like we did in Central Park.”