50,000 watch final curtain call for Pavarotti

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2007

MODENA, Italy (AFP) — Music and film stars joined top political figures and tens of thousands of tearful fans to honour opera legend Luciano Pavarotti at his funeral Saturday.

About 800 family, friends and special guests heard special tributes to the venerated tenor from Pope Benedict XVI during a mass at the cathedral in his hometown of Modena. Pavarotti died Thursday aged 71.

Among mourners were Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, U2 rock star Bono and Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli.

Another 50,000 people watched the funeral on two giant screens set up in the main square outside the cathedral, according to Modena authorities.

Pavarotti's second wife Nicoletta Mantovani sat in front of the white...