Italian Town Faces Backlash for Pavarotti Statue Ice Rink Stunt

Fri Dec 05 2025 11:37:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A festive ice rink has put legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti's statue in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, leading to outrage from his family.

In a surprising twist of holiday festivities, the town of Pesaro, Italy, has placed a statue of famed opera singer Luciano Pavarotti knee-deep in an ice rink, drawing ire from his widow, Nicoletta Mantovani. She expressed feelings of anger and ridicule over the decision, while the town's mayor apologized, admitting it was a miscalculation. Initially unveiled in April 2024, the statue was intended to honor Pavarotti's contributions to Italian culture. As tensions rise, local authorities promise not to repeat such 'absurd' choices in the future.

In an unusual move this holiday season, the town of Pesaro, Italy, found itself at the center of controversy after it encased a statue of beloved opera singer Luciano Pavarotti in an ice rink for Christmas celebrations. The decision didn't sit well with Pavarotti's widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, who claimed it was both an insult and a form of ridicule toward her late husband's legacy.

The statue, a life-sized bronze piece unveiled back in April 2024, now stands in the town square surrounded by ice and perspex walls, leaving it knee-deep in a winter wonderland.

Mayor Andrea Biancani expressed regret following the backlash, clarifying that the intention was never to offend. He admitted that the council made a mistake, especially after he was promised the statue would remain untouched during the planning process.

Before the rink's opening on November 29, Biancani had humorously posted a doctored image online depicting Pavarotti playing ice hockey with the hashtag #DaiUnCinqueAPavarotti, which translates to 'Give a high-five to Pavarotti.' However, this light-hearted approach failed to resonate with Mantovani, who voiced her disappointment in local media, labeling the situation a 'poorly executed, absurd decision.'

She pointed out that Pavarotti was a cherished figure in the area, frequently spending vacations at his villa in Pesaro where he was recognized as an honorary citizen. The mayor assured her that changes would be made to prevent such occurrences in the future, but the damage seemed to have been done.

Known for his incredible vocal talent, Pavarotti's legacy includes memorable performances at the Three Tenors concerts and the famous 'Nessun Dorma' from Puccini's Turandot during the 1990 football World Cup. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 71, leaving behind a significant mark on the world of opera.