Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti will mark the 40th anniversary of his opera debut with an online concert from the Modena opera house and the opening of his own Internet site.
"I will sing for another couple of years," said Pavarotti at the Futurshow technology fair in Bologna on Monday, cautioning however that he was unlikely to sing again for his 50th anniversary.
"I have done well during these 40 years and I'd like to continue at the same level for another couple of years, but then I'll turn to teaching."
Pavarotti, who will be 66 in October, started his singing career in Reggio Emilia on April 29, 1961 with Puccini's "La Boheme".
His Internet site, www.lucianopavarotti.com, is to highlight his biggest successes and include photos and references to records and concerts.
The Modena concert on April 29 will be broadcast on the Internet the following day.
Pavarotti's announcement came only days after 15 million Italians tried to get a glimpse of an online recording by pop legend Mina, 61, -- her first public appearance in years -- but due to high demand only 250,000 were able to actually see her.
Fifteen million hits on the Internet left Pavarotti slightly envious, but he said he was not trying to outdo her.
"It would be great to sing like her, but these 40 years are my years and I wanted to celebrate them ever since I started," he said -- AFP
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