The mayor of Pesaro, Italy, has issued an apology to the family of renowned opera singer Luciano Pavarotti after a statue honoring him was encased in ice as part of a Christmas ice rink installation. Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, expressed her anger and disappointment over the decision, which she felt demeaned her late husband. The statue was submerged in ice, surrounded by perspex walls, when the ice rink was unveiled in the town’s main piazza.
Mayor Andrea Biancani acknowledged that the council had made an error in allowing such a display and emphasized that it was not meant to offend anyone. He stated that when plans for the ice rink were presented, he was assured that the statue would remain untouched, only to later discover that changes were made without his approval.
Prior to the rink’s opening on November 29, Biancani had posted a digitally altered image of the statue, depicting Pavarotti playing ice hockey, along with the hashtag #DaiUnCinqueAPavarotti, which translates to “Give a high-five to Pavarotti.” Mantovani criticized the council’s decision as a “poorly executed, absurd” act, questioning how such treatment of Pavarotti’s legacy was permitted.
The life-size bronze statue of Pavarotti was inaugurated in April 2024, with Mantovani and their daughter, Alice, present at the ceremony. Pavarotti had deep ties to Pesaro, as he owned a villa there and was granted honorary citizenship. He is celebrated as one of the most significant opera stars in history, famous for his performances, including the Three Tenors concerts and his rendition of “Nessun Dorma” at the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Pavarotti passed away in 2007 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, leaving behind four daughters.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cre3q9edqx8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss