Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti died at his home in the northern city of Modena after losing his battle with cancer. The singer was 71. Photo by www.lucianopavarotti.com
Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who died early on Thursday, will be buried in his native town of Modena, northern Italy, on Saturday.
The singer, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, was 71.
Pavarotti's death came the day after he received a new government award for his work in promoting Italian culture in Italy and abroad.
Milan's famous La Scala opera house, where Pavarotti first performed more than 40 years ago, said it would help organize a singing contest dedicated to the tenor.
"It is a precious chance to pay homage to the career of Luciano Pavarotti, a symbol of Italian music in the world," La Scala said in a statement.
Tributes are pouring in for the Italian opera star as people flocked to the entrance of his home in Modena to pay their last respects.