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Recordings of Luciano Pavarotti's voice boomed out in Modena's main piazza yesterday as mourners waited to pay their final respects to the tenor before an invitation-only funeral in his hometown's cathedral.
Pavarotti's body, dressed in a black tuxedo and with his hands clutching his trademark white handkerchief, went back on view at dawn yesterday.
The cathedral remained open to the public until just before the mid-afternoon start of the funeral service.
"He was our Italian flag. He was the best representation that we could have," said Susy Cavallini, a 43-year-old Modena resident. "Modena is known for its cappelletti [a type of tortellini], balsamic vinegar, Ferrari and Pavarotti. It's a collection of important things that Modena has given to the world."
Admirers signed a book of condolences placed by a vase of sunflowers - Pavarotti's favourite - outside the cathedral. The Foreign Ministry said similar books of condolences would be available to well-wishers around the world at Italian embassies and consulates.
RAI state television said since Thursday about 50,000 people had filed by the coffin in a final outpouring of love before the dignitaries and fellow artists were to take to their place in the pews for the funeral.
