FAMED Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti's worldwide farewell China tour begins Dec. 6 in Shanghai and Dec. 10 in Beijing. It will be the last time for Chinese fans to enjoy the opera master's performance.

Pavarotti in 2002 announced his plans to retire on his 70th birthday in 2005, after more than four decades gracing concert stages around the world. He once joked that after October 2005, "I never sing even in the bathroom, not even when I'm taking a shower."

Pavarotti's performing future has been the subject of speculation since 2002. While other tenors have retired in their 50s, he has not even broached the subject of leaving the opera stage.

Born in Modena, Italy, on October 12, 1935, Pavarotti made his opera debut in 1961 in Italy.

He gained international prominence in 1963 when he stepped in to perform in a production of "La Boheme" in London when the scheduled tenor fell ill. He drew rave reviews and earned his first recording contract.

He made his Chinese debut in Beijing in 1986. Fifteen years later, he kicks off another big concert in the Forbidden City to promote 2008 Olympic Games application for Beijing, together with Placido Domingo (once his rival) and Jose Carreras. When he recalled 1986 tour, he said, "China gave me a beautiful impression. ... Chinese audience are great. I hope to visit China again."

He made his farewell tour in 2004 at the age of 69. "I will return to the cities where I had performed. It feels like a holiday. With the reminiscent feeling, it seems for me to open an old book and every pages are marked with memories." According to his longtime record company, Decca, Pavarotti is the most popular artist in the history of the classical recording industry.

Editor: Wing