Pavarotti statue in middle of ice rink causes outrage

A mayor in Italy has apologized to the family of famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti after the city of Pesaro found his statue embedded inside an ice rink set up for the New Year holidays, according to the BBC.

The artist's widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, told local media that she felt "angry and upset" by what she called a decision that "mockery" of the figure of her late husband.

The temporary ice rink was erected in the center of the city's main square, leaving the statue of Pavarotti frozen to the knee and surrounded by transparent plastic panels.

In his reaction, Mayor Andrea Biancani said he had not intended to offend anyone and admitted that the municipality had "made a mistake."

Before the runway opened on December 1, Biancani posted a modified photo of Pavarotti's statue appearing to be playing ice hockey, with the hashtag **DaiUnCinqueAPavarotti".

"I never expected a city to allow such treatment of the memory and image of a man who made Italy known all over the world," Mantovani told the newspaper "Il Resto del Carlino." She accused the municipality of an "absurd and poorly implemented decision."

The life-size bronze statue was officially unveiled in April 2024, in the presence of Mantovani and the couple's daughter, Alice. The Pavarotti family often spent their holidays in Pesaro, where the artist had a villa and the status of Honorary Citizen.

Luciano Pavarotti remains one of the most famous and successful tenors of all time. His performances with the Three Tenors were followed around the world, while his rendition of "Nessun Dorma" from the opera "Turandot" became iconic during the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

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