Famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti(C) with European Commission Vice President Neil Kinnock (L) and European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti (R) at the Platinium Europe Music Award in Brussels. Pavarotti receives an honourable award for his contribution to the music industry and in recognition of his 40-year career. PHOTO – REUTERS

BRUSSELS - Luciano Pavarotti knows exactly what he wants to do next — he would love to teach singing and is happy to do it for nothing. The world‘s most famous opera star announced last month that he will retire on his 70th birthday in 2005 and not sing any more, even in the shower. He has no intention of wavering from that decision. In Brussels to receive a record industry award for selling over 100 million albums, the great Italian tenor said: „Absolutely. October 12, 2005.“

The portly singer, who took opera from its hallowed halls to giant arenas, is already planning what to do with the rest of his life. He said: „There are many things I can do. The most obvious — because I would like to stay in the world in which I am living now — I think would be to teach. I will teach young singers, not just young singers but people who have problems. I would try to be helpful and I hope I don‘t need to be paid. I made my profession in the beginning by studying two years and I didn‘t pay any money because the teacher was a tenor. I think I can do the same thing,“ he added.

Pavarotti is the most popular artist in the history of the classical recording industry and fiercely proud of his role in bringing opera to the masses from performances in New York‘s Central Park to the Three Tenors concerts with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. „Music is for everybody. Why should I be selective?“ he said, reflecting on a 40-year career that has taken him from London‘s Covent Garden to singing duets with U2‘s Bono. He has faced a tough time this year, battling health problems and grieving over the deaths of his parents, both within the last six months. Then he was lambasted by the U.S. media after disappointing fans at New York‘s Metropolitan Opera House with a last-minute cancellation due to laryngitis. Critics may say he can no longer be called „The King of the High C‘s“ for his once extraordinary range but Pavarotti looks back on his career with gratitude and for having been given an instrument that has given pleasure to millions. Reuters