(CNN) Famed opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who appeared on stage with singers as varied as opera star Dame Joan Sutherland, U2's Bono and Liza Minnelli, died Thursday in Italy after suffering from pancreatic cancer, manager Terri Robson said in a statement. He was 71.
"The great tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, died today at 5:00 a.m. at his home in Modena, the city of his birth,"according to Robson.
"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the panceatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive untill finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness.
The porty singer retired from staged opera in 2004, but was on a "farewell tour" of concerts when he was diagnsed with pancreatic cancer in 2006 and underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor.
Although the remaining concerts of his tour were canceled, his management said that he hoped to reume the tour in 2007.
But in early August, Pavarotti was hospitalized in Modena with a fever and released 17 days later after undergoing diagnostic tests.
Pavorotti is survived by his wife, Nicoletta Mantovani, and a daughter, Alice, along with three grown daughters by his first wife, Adua Veroni, whom he divorced in 2000, and a granddaughter.
According to Robson, his wife, daughters and sister, along with other relativces and friends were at his side when he died.
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