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Video: watch Pavarotti perform with the Three Tenors
Celebrities from the world of both classical and pop music are expected to attend the funeral of Luciano Pavarotti tomorrow in his home town of Modena.
Nicoletta Mantovani, the tenor’s second wife, and his three daughters by his first wife, Adua Veroni — Lorenza, 44, Cristina, 42 and Giuliana, 40 — overcame past differences to comfort Pavarotti as he lay dying on Wednesday at his villa.
It is not clear whether Ms Veroni will attend the funeral. “The bitterness of her divorce from Pavarotti was such that they hardly spoke after the settlement,” one local journalist said.
Last night mourners filed past the tenor’s coffin at the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral in Modena, and the queues of people who paid their last respects were expected to continue until shortly before the funeral tomorrow afternoon. Giant screens will relay the service to those unable to get into the cathedral.
Antonio Frassoldati, Pavarotti’s doctor, said that the tenor had remained calm and “conscious of what was happening” to the end. He was taken to hospital in Modena, near Bologna, on August 8 suffering from a high fever and respiratory problems that were linked to the pancreatic cancer for which he was operated on in New York just over a year ago.
Pavarotti married Ms Veroni, his teenage sweetheart, in 1961, and she became not only his wife of 35 years but also his business manager until the tenor, then 60, was photographed by paparazzi in 1996 in the sea off Barbados with Ms Mantovani, his 26-year-old secretary. The Pavarottis announced their separation in March 1996 “with mutual respect”.
Pavarotti, meanwhile, said that he saw no reason to hide his happiness with Ms Mantovani, who first met him while helping to run the equestrian centre at his estate and later organised his “Pavarotti and Friends” concerts.
In 2002, after six years of separation, Pavarotti and Ms Veroni were divorced, and in January the following year Ms Mantovani had twins, only one of which — Alice — survived. In December 2003 they were married at a wedding attended by 600 guests including Bono, Sting, Andrea Bocelli and José Carreras.
This week the Italian Government announced that Pavarotti was the first recipient of a new prize for his work “promoting Italian culture in his country and abroad”. Locals in Modena said that they had lost “a great man who never forgot us despite his fame”. Emilio Sabattini, President of Modena Province, said: “The world has lost an exceptional musical talent, and Modena has lost one of its dearest sons.”
La Scala opera house in Milan, where Pavarotti first performed, fell silent last night. It said that it would organise a singing competition dedicated to the tenor “to pay homage to the career of a symbol of Italian music in the world”.
Franco Zeffirelli, the opera and film director, said: “There were tenors — and then there was Pavarotti.”

Chorus of praise
–– Thank you for spreading your great arms, for singing with us and making us
that gift again of your spontaneous and radiant smile
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli
–– A great volcano of a man who sang fire but spilled over with a love of life
Bono, of U2
–– He could thrill you with his power and move you with his tenderness
Lesley Garrett
–– It is thanks to Pavarotti that the culture of opera spread to new
generations
Franco Zeffirelli
–– His tenor was so distinguished that I could immediately recognise it
whenever I heard his songs
Conductor Seiji Ozawa
–– [He] carried across the globe the most authentic artistic image of our
country, stirring the emotions and releasing passions
Romano Prodi, Italian Prime Minister
–– His work stretched from Afghanistan to Liberia and beyond. By marshalling
talented friends to help raise funds he generated millions for humanitarian
aid
Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary-General

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Luciano, your memory is held by those lives you touched- to those who watched at your concerts, who met you and laughed with you, and all those who are in awe of your legacy. Thank you for sharing the sweetest voice in all the world with those such as myself. Music has lost their best singer. R.I.P.
Lyla Zyllis, Glen Ellyn, USA
The world of opera will never be the same without Luciano Pavarotti. He's an insperation to me. Pavarotti made me love opera. Thank you so much
jessie, jefferys bay, south africa
Luciano, you were a brilliant man. May you rest in peace.
Imogen, Debenham, Great Britian
Luciano had the voice of an angel that will live forever. Thank you for the years of joy u gave to me, love to Alice and Nicoletta may his memory stay with you for ever.
jane, york, australia
Thank you . I will never forget the concerts I have seen you perform at and will treasure the mementos I have of you. Rest in Peace.
Linda Whitham, West Yorkshire, England
I had the great pleasure to meet and speak (briefly in Italian) with Luciano when he flew into Cardiff Airport for the Llangollen concert in 1995. His humanity,presence,and wondreous voice will stay with me,-thank you Luciano.
A ledgend in his own lifetime-his legacy will live on - for future generations to wonder and enjoy.
Terry Morgan, Penmaen,Blackwood,Gwent., UK
It is very significant the enormous lack of people from the world of classical music who did not attend the Pavarotti funeral. In this absence there is a hidden (or not so hidden?) message of what kind of a spiritual / musical world Pavarotti surrounded himself with, in the last 20 years of his life. This is the real tragedy of the death of Pavarotti.
marcolorenzo, Grosseto, Italy
Who can doubt the existance of God when the world has been blessed with such a splendid voice as that which poured from the throat of Luciano Pavarotti. We are truly fortunate to have his music still available to us and although the great man is no longer with us his spirit and talent live on bringing joy and comfort to millions. Earth's loss is Heaven's gain. Re-united with his beloved parents may God bring solace to those who grieve for him.
Margaret Stevens, Bethesda, Bangor, Gwynedd, N. Wales
We saw the Great one when he perfomed in Albany, New York several years ago. He was a huge presence on stage and I don't mean physical.
" May choirs of angels sing you sweetly to your rest'
John D., Troy, New York, USA
The man and the voice will live on.
These are priceless memories of a humble, man of the people.
Thank you Luciano, and God bless you and take care of you.
pamela, Merseyside, UK
DEAR DEAR Liciano
I had the great honor to meet him twice personally and to sing with him Ave maria of gounod with my family for pavarotti and friends KELLY FAMILY
his personality was of incredible Charisma,he was such an open man I can remember after a concert with the three tenors him allways recieving a line of friends in his wardrobe and sitting in his chair as great and warm full of character patriarch
one of those giants of the century so as in the stature of John paul or princess Diana
may he rest in peace and send us his angels so that his songs may never die
God bless you Luciano!
kathy kelly, clonakilty, Ireland
Please, always remember that Pavarotti was a brilliant herald of true Italian culture. Nothing else.
Paolo Cottini, Varese, Italy
I agree with WDE..when I listened to you Luciano I heard God's voice..your voice helped me through many sad times in my life and lifted me up toward heaven...may God take care of you now and bless you after so many years in his service....
MGM, Saginaw, Michigan
Dearest Luciano...your magnificent voice touches me in the depth of my being, my essence. You put me directly in touch with the Divine...Divine Grace in motion. You connect me with love, bliss & Divine peace. The power of your voice lifts me into the galaxies of stars. Your voice comes from the same power the Universe was created with. Yor gifts are most profound, gigantic, & immense. Your contribution to the Music World is timeless, priceless, & heavenly. You help me find my way back into my Paradise, my Garden of Eden, my Holy Grail.
I am infinitely grateful for the immensity of all your gifts...your total dedication to your purpose on Earth...sending Divine love into the hearts & souls of so many. You are an instrument of the Divine...the gifts come through you. You remind me who
I really am. Without great spirits like you...Earth would be terribly sad place...far too many war-mongers...I cherish exquisite soul-touching beauty in all its forms...forever grateful...
Tamarah, Calgary, Canada
Pavarotti, addio al grande tenore!
Goodbye to the big Lucciano!
Joseph, Modena, Italy
A Las Vegas style show master and for the last 10/15 years not worth listening to. I could not hear the beauty so many others speak of, just a bombastic bell canto and false sentiment.
robert, vancouver,
a truly great now silent on earth, but in heaven it still soars, rest easy big man
evans, norfolk, england
Sleep well, you brought opera to the younger generations (especially my Sons) They were really surprised a few years agoto learn that you were a very good goalkeeper when you were young.They love football as well.
I saw you in Hyde park, even though it poured of rain it was a night I will never forget.
Sue riggs, Putney, London, Greater London
Signor Pavarotti,
You were the Shakespeare of Opera, the world has lost a sensitive human being.
Your voice use to calm me down when the pressure was on me.
As you use to whisper, all we need is love.
Rest in peace, you won`t be forgotten.
Marco, London,
I first heard this greatest of tenors at Covent Garden 1963 and have followed him ever since. I have gone to numerous concerts and classed myself as one of his greatest fans God how we will miss you. There will never be another with the voice of Luciano RIP my condolences to Nicolletta , his daughters and sister also to Adua his first wife
Jenny Hassan, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Luciano, you have been the love of my life for 30 years. I have seen you seven times, I wish I could have met you. I remember the first time I saw Pavarotti, he was in Washington, DC singing for the pope, I was hooked. My husband went out and purchased your album for me. You have brought much joy into my life. Rest in peace my Pavarotti, I will miss you but I will always have your music.
Joy Lowe, Bethlehem, PA
I had the pleasure of meeting him in person 30 years ago, when I didn't know what a tenor was. He was requested by our friends to sing for us.....And for those 5 minutes, I went to Heaven!!
He became part of life, and he will remain like that until the day "I" die.
On September 6, the World lost the GREATEST voice of all times, and tears rolled down my face, because "I" lost my beloved Pavarotti.
Wilma Landrau, Coral Springs, Florida, USA
Thank you so much for all the pleasure you have given me over the years. Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten!
M. Elliott, Herts , U.K.
Dear God:
I have been marveling at Your power, unleashed through Luciano Pavarotti for more than 30 years. You also blessed him with the passion to develop Your gracious gift to precision and excellence. To me and many, He will continue to be Your Voice, brought to life thru him, for us. Thank You. oS2
WDE, Louisville, USA / Kentucky
Thank you "Pav'"for the voice, the presence and the hope you gave to a divided world.May we all learn to sing with your passion and compassion.
Tony Robertson, Brisbane, Australia
tenor that legends are made from---god bless him---steve slagle
ss, nyc,
My dear Luciano,
I have followed your musical career since 1970. You voice was so pure, so natural and I am saddened beyond believe that it has been silenced. I met you in 1988 in San Antonio when you performed with the orchestra there. Before that you gave me inspiration as a young artist, and remained a mentor to me from afar. The world has lost a tremendous man, musician and with that a voice that made millions of people happy. Thank you for your many gifts, your smile and all that you are. You are now, and will always be missed.
Valerie Lynch, Charleston, USA/ SC
Dear Luciano:
Your guidance, friendship, and artistic mastery forever changed my life and gave me the most exciting moments of art I've ever known. Standing next to you, trying to soak up every morsel of musical brilliance was a thrill beyond words. I will always remember your strong, sweaty hugs...and the charming nickname you gave my wife. Thank you kind sir, teacher, mentor and friend. You will be missed.
Elijah "Kenn" Chester, Burlington, North Carolina
He was wonderful, I can't stopp criying for his death
Enrique Arata, Buenos Aires, argentina