World mourns Italian tenor Pavarotti

Friends and admirers of Luciano Pavarotti joined in a chorus of grief as the world paid homage to the thrilling voice and ebullient personality of the great Italian tenor who died today.

Amid an outpouring of tributes, the Vienna State Opera raised a black flag in mourning and his northern Italian hometown of Modena said it would name the city’s theatre after its native son.

News of his death became a top story around the world, with his unmistakable recordings dominating broadcasts and playing prominently on the internet.

“The whole world will be listening today to his voice,” said conductor Zubin Mehta, who directed Pavarotti in Rome and Los Angeles for his Three Tenors concerts with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras.

“And that will continue. And that is his legacy.

“I always admired the God-given glory of his voice – that unmistakable special timbre from the bottom up to the very top of the tenor range,” Domingo said in a statement from Los Angeles.

“They threw away the mold when they made Luciano.”

Carreras called Pavarotti one of “most important tenors of all times.” Pavarotti died early today at his home after battling pancreatic cancer.

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