Luciano Pavarotti, Whose vibrant high C's and ebullient showmanship made him the most beloved tenor since Caruso, died last Thursday at age 71 after a year-long battle with cancer. Pavarotti was the world's best-selling classical artist, with more than 100 million records sold since the 1960s.Tens of thousands of Italians bid fare well to Lucia no Pavarotti, in a funeral in Modena's cathedral that drew dignitaries and fellow artists last Saturday Among the guests were Italian Premier Romano Prodi, U2lead singer Bono and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Thousands of admirers filled the piazza outside the cathedral watching the service on a big screen. The crowd erupted in applause when the white, casket covered with flowers-was carried outside by pallbearers. at the same instant, the Italian air force's flying team trailed vapors of green, red and white the colors of the Italian flag.
Prodi praised Pavarotti for his humanitarian work and peace efforts and also expressed the gratitude for the image of the nation he carried to all comers of the globe. "The pain in my heart is only eased by the thought that (his) art will always remain with us," said Bocelli in a statement upon learning of Pavarotti's death.