THE seventh Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition for young operatic talent finished triumphantly on Thursday night.

Tributes have poured in for Luciano Pavarotti after he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 71 yesterday.

Pop legend Elton John, opera diva Dame Joan Sutherland and conductor John Williams – along with actors Warren Beatty, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee – were honoured with a star-studded tribute in Washington.