Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti has died, his manager has announced.
Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti has died, his manager has announced.
The singer, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, died at his home in the northern city of Modena, at the age of 71.
The singer, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, died at his home in the northern city of Modena, at the age of 71.
He had been admitted to hospital there with a fever on 8 August. He was released two weeks later following diagnostic tests.
He had been admitted to hospital there with a fever on 8 August. He was released two weeks later following diagnostic tests.
Pavarotti had cancer surgery in July 2006 in New York, and had not made any public appearances since then.
Pavarotti had cancer surgery in July 2006 in New York, and had not made any public appearances since then.
His farewell tour was interrupted then to remove a malignant tumour. He underwent five bouts of chemotherapy in the past year.
His farewell tour was interrupted then to remove a malignant tumour. He underwent five bouts of chemotherapy in the past year.
Fellow tenor Placido Domingo said he had "always admired the God-given glory of his voice".
'Long, tough battle'
'Long, tough battle'
Although his wife had told papers he was fighting like a lion, it had been feared, seemingly correctly, that he had gone home to die among his friends and family, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome.
Although his wife had told papers he was fighting like a lion, it had been feared, seemingly correctly, that he had gone home to die among his friends and family, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome.
Manager Terri Robson said in a statement that the tenor died at 0500 local time (0300 GMT) on Thursday.
Manager Terri Robson said in a statement that the tenor died at 0500 local time (0300 GMT) on Thursday.
"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life," she said.
"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life," she said.
"In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness."
"In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness."
Pavarotti enjoyed 40 years on the world stage and became one of the world's biggest-selling artists.
Pavarotti enjoyed 40 years on the world stage and became one of the world's biggest-selling artists.
He brought a new audience to opera, particularly with his signature tune Nessun Dorma, from Puccini's Turandot, which became associated with the 1990 football World Cup.
He brought a new audience to opera, particularly with his signature tune Nessun Dorma, from Puccini's Turandot, which became associated with the 1990 football World Cup.
Nessun Dorma was part of his final performance, at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Turin in February 2006.
'So much fun'
His performances with Domingo and Jose Carerras at this time - in the Three Tenors concerts - were seen around the world.
"We've reached 1.5 billion people with opera," Pavarotti told critics of the shows.
"If you want to use the word commercial, or something more derogatory, we don't care. Use whatever you want."
In a statement from Los Angeles, Domingo said he had fond memories of the Three Tenors shows.
"We had trouble remembering we were giving a concert before a paying audience, because we had so much fun between ourselves," he said.
Nessun Dorma was part of Pavarotti's final performance, at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Turin in February 2006.
When Pavarotti first saw Pangkor Laut in Malaysia, he said that it was a piece of heaven on Earth. Now he's got the real thing. Rest in Peace, Maestro.Wendy Toh, Singapore
I remember when I first heard him sing, it was a strange feeling. I didn't know who it was, but I knew it was someone great. Since then I have collected all of his cds that I could find. This is a great loss for the followers of classical music, and for the world.sean greene, Tucson, AZ, USA
The wind of death has blown off yet another candle in the world of art. He was the greatest of all times and brought opera singing closer to world masses. He will be greatly missed. May his soul rest in peace.Aziz El Mernissi, Doha - Qatar
He was unique Singer. May his soul rest in peace.Christopher Chew, |Lusaka , Zambia
What are your memories of the singer? Did you meet him or attend one of his concerts? Send us your tributes.
What are your memories of the singer? Did you meet him or attend one of his concerts? Send us your tributes.
