September 6, 2007 9:59

Pavarotti dies aged 71

Opera singer and U2 collaborator passes away in Italy

Pavarotti has died at home in Modena in Italy in the early hours of this morning (September 6) aged 71.

The opera singer, full name Luciano Pavarotti, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year.

A huge force in the opera world, who impressed audiences with both his ability and the dramatic qualities he brought to his roles, he is best known in the popular world for singing ’Nessun Dorma’ from ’Puccini’s Tuarandot’, which became associated with the 1990 football World Cup in Italy.

This was done in collaboration with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, with the trio becoming global stars as The Three Tenors.

Pavarotti also collaborated with U2 and Brian Eno as part of Passengers, project and sung on their 1995 hit single ’Miss Sarajevo’.

Pavarotti had cancer surgery in July 2006 in New York, five months after his last performance. He had not made any public appearances since then.

He underwent five bouts of chemotherapy in the past year, and was admitted to hospital with a fever on August 8. He was released two weeks later following diagnostic tests.

His manager Terri Robson said: “The maestro fought a long tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life.

"In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness."

The star's final performance was at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Turin in February 2006.

London’s Royal Opera House where the tenor last performed Tosca in January 2002 called Pavarotti: “one of the finest singers of our time.

“He was one of those rare artists who affected the lives of people across the globe in all walks of life.

“Through his countless broadcasts, recordings and concerts he introduced the extraordinary power of opera to people who perhaps would never have encountered opera and classical singing in doing so he enriched their lives. That will be his legacy.”

He is survived by his wife Nicoletta Mantovani and his four daughters, reports BBC News.