One of the great voices of the age has fallen silent. Italian opera star Luciano Pavarotti is dead. Hailed by many as the greatest tenor of his generation, Pavarotti died in the early hours of Thursday in his hometown of Modena. Word comes from his manager Terri Robson.
Pavarotti, was released from hospital late last month after undergoing more than two weeks of tests and treatment. He was at home in the company of family and close friends when he died.
Pavarotti underwent surgery last July to remove a pancreatic tumor. Cancer surgery forced him to cancel the remaining dates of his 2006 farewell opera tour.
The 71-year-old star vowed to return to the stage this year. But he did not re-emerge after his surgery. A number of planned appearances in the past few months were cancelled.
The rotund, black-bearded tenor known as "Big Luciano" helped bring opera to the masses. He performed to vast stadium audiences around the world.
He rocketed to fame following a stand-in appearance at London's Covent Garden in 1963. Soon critics were gushing about his voluminous voice.
Luciano Pavarotti said, "I make people happy. I know God has done something special for me. He kissed my vocal cords, and that I know."
Pavarotti's last public performance came at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Turin in February 2006. He sang Puccini's aria "Nessun Dorma".
