A legend passes away

This is all we've got for now...one of The Star's musical experts will blog eloquently about this later this morning.

Opera Superstar Luciano Pavarotti Dies

By ALESSANDRA RIZZO, AP

ROME - Luciano Pavarotti, whose vibrant high C's and ebullient showmanship made him the most beloved and celebrated tenor since Caruso and one of the few opera singers to win crossover fame as a popular superstar, died Thursday. He was 71.

His manager, Terri Robson, told the AP in an e-mail statement that Pavarotti died at his home in Modena, Italy, at 5 a.m. (0300 GMT). Pavarotti had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and underwent further treatment in August.

"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness," the statement said.

The funeral will be held Saturday inside Modena's cathedral, Mayor Giorgio Pighi told SkyTG24 as he left Pavarotti's home.

Speaking from inside Pavarotti's home, which was guarded by police, Pavarotti's assistant Edwin Tinoco told Sky that Pavarotti's final days had been calm and spent at home.