Luciano Pavarotti, the Italian singer whose ringing, pristine sound set a standard for operatic tenors of the postwar era, died early this morning at his home in Modena, in northern Italy. He was 71.

His death was announced by his manager, Terri Robson. The cause was pancreatic cancer. In July 2006 he underwent surgery for the cancer in New York and had made no public appearances since then. He was hospitalized again this summer and released on Aug. 25.

“The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life,” said an e-mail statement that his manager sent to The Associated Press. “In fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness.” NY TIMES ARTICLE.

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And then there were two...

The end to a distinguished career. His health has been failing for years now and he has been forced to cancel a lot of performances. May he finally be at peace. Ciao.

Damn, that's too bad. I'm gonna have to break out Man of LaMancha tonight, RIP.

I never really got into him until I heard the 3 Tenors. What amazing voices. RIP.

bad joke I heard today at work

guy #1: I heard that Pavarotti died.
guy #2: Isn't that the guy who follows all those movie stars around?

the emperor had no clothes. and now he's dead.

RIP. The guy sure could sing, but he had nothin' on Enrico Palazzo.