ONE OF THE GREATEST AND MY FAVORITE OPERA TENOR HAS DIED OF CANCER. AS JOHN WAYNE WAS TO MOVIES, ELVIS TO ROCK AND ROLL, PAVAROTTI WAS TO OPERA. I AM VERY ECLECTIC IN MY MUSIC. AND WHEN I HEARD HIM SING THIS ARIA IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. AND THEN WHEN FAMOUS ICE SKATER BRYAN BOITANO SKATED TO IT, CHILLS WENT UP MY SPINE. SO PLEASE TAKE A LISTEN TO SOME OF MY FAVORITE ARIA'S. REST IN PEACE AND SING FOR GOD NOW.
ROME - Luciano Pavarotti, opera's biggest superstar of the late 20th century, died Thursday. He was 71. He was the son of a singing baker and became the king of the high C's.
Pavarotti, who had been diagnosed last year with pancreatic cancer and underwent treatment last month, died at his home in his native Modena at 5 a.m., his manager told The Associated Press in an e-mailed statement.
His wife, Nicoletta, four daughters and sister were among family and friends at his side, manager Terri Robson said.
"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer," Robson 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."
Pavarotti's charismatic personna and ebullient showmanship — but most of all his creamy and powerful voice — made him the most beloved and celebrated tenor since the great Caruso and one of the few opera singers to win crossover fame as a popular superstar