Luciano Pavarotti has died, aged 71, his agent has confirmed.

Pavarotti, hailed by many as the greatest tenor of his generation, underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer last year. A local television station in his home town of Modena, Antenna Uno, said the singer was surrounded by members of his family and close friends.

AGI news agency cited sources as saying the 71-year-old opera star was in a “very serious condition”. In a dispatch from Rome, the agency said he was being attended to at home by cancer specialists.

Pavarotti – often described as the greatest tenor since Enrico Caruso – was released from the Policlinico hospital in Modena on August 25, after more than two weeks of tests and treatment.

He was taken to the hospital on August 8, suffering from a high fever and respiratory problems.

Guardian

Pavarotti’s death is a tragedy for his family, friends and fans.

It is particularly sad that Pavarotti did not get to complete his farewell tour, which he was undergoing when he became ill in July 2006.

He will be best remembered for his performance of Nessun Dorma, in 1990 for the World Cup Soccer competition.

He died at home, surrounded by family and friends.

Note by Celebitchy: try to watch any of these videos of Pavarotti performing and not cry. It wasn’t possible for me.

Luciano Pavarotti sings “Caruso” from Caruso the Movie

Luciano Pavarotti sings Ave Maria by Schubert

Luciano Pavarotti sings Nessun Dorma by Puccini