October 12: Italian Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti was born on this date in 1935...

He was 71 when he died from pancreatic cancer on September 6, 2007. Pavarotti began his professional career as a tenor in 1961 and became probably the most successful post-war classical performer bridging the worlds of opera and pop culture, through his association with fellow singers Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras as the "Three Tenors."

He also committed to charity work on behalf of refugees and the Red Cross, with pop icons as U2. He also performed duets wqith a number of noted singers incluidng Mariah Carey, Celeine Dion, Barry White, John Bon Jovi, James Brown and others.

"Nessun Dorma," from Puccini's opera Tosca, is now forever associated with soccer's World Cup, thanks to Pavarotti's appearance at the 1990 Games.

Pavarotti was awarded the desgnation Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI, one of the five orders of knighthood awarded in recognition of service to the Italian Republic).