This one will cost more than a tenor

Now that Luciano Pavarotti has named the day he will sing his last note, speculation has turned from "when" to "where" and, as always with the great tenor, "how much?"

Pavarotti told CNN last week that his last live performance will be on October 12, 2005, his 70th birthday. He intends to be busy until then, giving concerts expected to strain the finances of devotees wishing to hear one of opera's finest voices.

The singer has had a troubled year. He lost his father and his mother, and flu forced him to pull out of two performances of Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York in May.

His official spokeswoman said that by naming his retirement date, Pavarotti had simply decided to end the speculation after his cancelled performances.

He had not decided what form the farewell would take. "He has set a date but he doesn't know whether it will be a concert or an opera or a gala or where it will be," the spokeswoman said. But considering that tickets for the May performances were selling for $4725, a high price is likely to attach to the last chance to hear Pavarotti live.

The 66-year-old was born in Modena, Italy, in 1935, the child of an opera-loving baker. His international career took off in 1963 at Covent Garden and has included partnerships with stars such as Joan Sutherland. Appearances with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras as the "Three Tenors" broadened his appeal.

John Allison, editor of Opera magazine, said whatever was thought of Pavarotti's "side antics", he had been a wonderful performer.

"He is one of the greatest tenors of all time. His voice had unique timbre and sweetness, a way of moulding words into music. If you listen to the recordings of, say, 30 years ago, it is still quite startling. There isn't anybody at present to match him."

- INDEPENDENT