On September 5, 2007, Italy’s AGI news agency reported that Luciano Pavarotti’s health has deteriorated and the 71-year-old singer is in a “very serious condition”.
Numerous news venues and È TV Antenna Uno television station in Modena, the tenor’s home town, reported on September 5 Luciano Pavarotti is unconscious and his kidneys have stopped working. Pavarotti’s condition is “very grave,” the television said, citing unnamed sources.In March 2005, Pavarotti underwent neck surgery to repair two vertebrae. In June of the same year, he had to cancel a Three Tenors concert in Mexico due to laryngitis.
In early 2006, he had back surgery and contracted an infection while in the hospital, forcing cancellation of concerts in the U.S., Canada and the UK.
Pavarotti was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2006 and required emergency surgery to remove the tumor. Shortly after surgery he was reported to be “recovering well.” His remaining appearances for 2006 were canceled because of his ongoing cancer treatment; however, his management stated that it is anticipated that his farewell tour would resume in early 2007.
On Thursday, August 9, 2007, he was hospitalized for observation in his hometown of Modena, in Northern Italy, hospital officials there said. Hospital spokesman Alberto Greco declined to give the reason the 71-year-old tenor was hospitalized, but local daily Il Resto del Carlino reported that it was pneumonia. Announcement of his “imminent release” was made on August 15, 2007, but with no date cited. The report stated that he planned to return to recording his “sacred songs” and teaching his young pupils. On August 21, it was announced that he was being treated on the cancer ward, given tests related to his pancreatic cancer and would not be released for another few days.