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Pavarotti funeral 'a state event' Pavarotti funeral 'a state event'
(10 minutes later)
Family and friends of the late opera singer Luciano Pavarotti have gathered for his funeral in the cathedral of his home town Modena in northern Italy.Family and friends of the late opera singer Luciano Pavarotti have gathered for his funeral in the cathedral of his home town Modena in northern Italy.
Among the mourners are the prime minister, and stars including U2's Bono and tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. Among the mourners are the tenor's second wife Nicoletta Mantovani and stars including U2's Bono and tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras.
The service will culminate in a fly-past by the country's air force.The service will culminate in a fly-past by the country's air force.
Pavarotti, who died on Thursday aged 71, will be laid to rest in the cemetery close to his home in Modena.Pavarotti, who died on Thursday aged 71, will be laid to rest in the cemetery close to his home in Modena.
State occasion
The singer will be buried in a private ceremony alongside members of his family, including his parents and stillborn son, Ricardo.The singer will be buried in a private ceremony alongside members of his family, including his parents and stillborn son, Ricardo.
The funeral service is attended by Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and conducted by the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. The funeral service is attended by Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and celebrated by Modena Bishop Benito Cocchi.
Pavarotti had been suffering from pancreatic cancer Thousands of people are watching the invitation-only service on a huge television screen erected in Modena's main piazza, where a recording of the tenor's most famous works has been playing during two days of public viewing.
Blind Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will sing Panis Angelicus, a hymn performed at the cathedral by Pavarotti with his father Fernando in 1978. The traditional Roman Catholic requiem mass began with a moving rendition of Verdi's Ave Maria by Bulgarian-born soprano Raina Kabaivanska, also a resident of Modena who had worked with Pavarotti.
Pavarotti's family expressed a desire for a private ceremony, but with the attendance of fans, celebrities and politicians, it will have the feel of a state occasion.
Thousands of people are expected to gather outside the cathedral for the funeral, the city's authorities have said.
Loud applauseLoud applause
Players from Italian football team Juventus, which Pavarotti supported, have also said they will attend. Blind Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will also sing Panis Angelicus, a hymn performed at the cathedral by Pavarotti with his father Fernando in 1978.
Pavarotti's family expressed a desire for a private ceremony, but with the attendance of fans, celebrities and politicians, it has the feel of a state occasion.
Pavarotti had been suffering from pancreatic cancer
Thousands of people are gathered outside the cathedral for the funeral.
Also at the funeral is the Italian film-maker Franco Zeffirelli and players from Italian football team Juventus, which Pavarotti supported.
The Italian and English football teams are to play Nessun Dorma before their respective Euro 2008 qualifying matches on Saturday - against France and Israel - as a mark of respect to the late singer.The Italian and English football teams are to play Nessun Dorma before their respective Euro 2008 qualifying matches on Saturday - against France and Israel - as a mark of respect to the late singer.
The Italian air force's Frecce Tricolori display team will create the green, red and white of the country's flag when it passes over Modena cathedral as the tenor's coffin is brought out at the end of the service.The Italian air force's Frecce Tricolori display team will create the green, red and white of the country's flag when it passes over Modena cathedral as the tenor's coffin is brought out at the end of the service.
Thousands of mourners have been paying their respects to the singer, who has been lying in state since late on Thursday evening. Thousands of mourners have been paying their respects to the singer who had been lying in state since late on Thursday evening.
Pavarotti's coffin had been carried into the cathedral by nine pall bearers, with his second wife Nicoletta Mantovani following behind.Pavarotti's coffin had been carried into the cathedral by nine pall bearers, with his second wife Nicoletta Mantovani following behind.
There was loud applause from hundreds of people who had gathered in the square to show their appreciation.There was loud applause from hundreds of people who had gathered in the square to show their appreciation.