A sad loss indeed 
Italian opera star Pavarotti dies, aged 71
Thursday, 6 September 2007 13:35
Italian opera star Luciano Pavarotti, hailed by many as the greatest tenor of his generation, has died aged 71.
Mr Pavarotti, who had been suffering from pancreatic cancer, died at his home in Italy surrounded by family and close friends in the early hours of this morning.
The world's most popular tenor was born in Modena, northern Italy, on 12 October 1935, the only child of his baker father and tobacco factory worker mother.
He was training as a teacher when he decided to opt for a musical career, making his professional opera debut in his home country in 1961.
His first big break came in his 20s at the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden.
In 1990 Pavarotti (left) became an international celebrity when he was asked to turn Nessun Dorma, an aria from Puccini's Turandot, into the theme song for the World Cup.
Over a 40-year career he released more than 100 records, selling more than 100m albums worldwide and won five Grammy awards as well as the prestigious Grammy Legend award.
Pavarotti was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas in July 2006 and underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumour.
He was married for 35 years to Adua Veroni, the mother of his three adult daughters.
However in December 2003 he married his assistant, Nicoletta Mantovani, who was half his age, following a ten-year affair.
The couple had one daughter.
Meanwhile, Bono has paid tribute to the Italian opera singer.
In
2003, Pavarotti teamed up with the U2 frontman for a charity concert to raise money for Iraqi civilians affected by war.
Speaking on RTÉ 2FM's 'Gerry Ryan Show', Bono said the singer had never forgot his own humble roots.
He said Pavarotti's life was like an opera and said his interpretative skills were what made him unique - he lived his songs and when he sang them he brought you to that place.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0906/pavarottil.html
Italian opera star Pavarotti dies, aged 71
Thursday, 6 September 2007 13:35 Italian opera star Luciano Pavarotti, hailed by many as the greatest tenor of his generation, has died aged 71.
Mr Pavarotti, who had been suffering from pancreatic cancer, died at his home in Italy surrounded by family and close friends in the early hours of this morning.
The world's most popular tenor was born in Modena, northern Italy, on 12 October 1935, the only child of his baker father and tobacco factory worker mother.
He was training as a teacher when he decided to opt for a musical career, making his professional opera debut in his home country in 1961.
His first big break came in his 20s at the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden.
Over a 40-year career he released more than 100 records, selling more than 100m albums worldwide and won five Grammy awards as well as the prestigious Grammy Legend award.
Pavarotti was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas in July 2006 and underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumour.
He was married for 35 years to Adua Veroni, the mother of his three adult daughters.
However in December 2003 he married his assistant, Nicoletta Mantovani, who was half his age, following a ten-year affair.
The couple had one daughter.
Meanwhile, Bono has paid tribute to the Italian opera singer.
In
Speaking on RTÉ 2FM's 'Gerry Ryan Show', Bono said the singer had never forgot his own humble roots.
He said Pavarotti's life was like an opera and said his interpretative skills were what made him unique - he lived his songs and when he sang them he brought you to that place.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0906/pavarottil.html
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