An Italian mayor has apologized to the family of opera star Luciano Pavarotti after the town of Pesaro encased a statue honoring the late singer within a Christmas ice rink. The singer's widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, told local media that she was angry and upset at what she called the decision to ridicule her late husband. The temporary ice rink was constructed in the center of the town's piazza, leaving Pavarotti's statue knee-deep in ice and surrounded by perspex walls. In response, Mayor Andrea Biancani said that he didn't mean to offend anyone and admitted that his council had made a mistake. Before the rink's opening on November 29, Biancani posted a doctored image of Pavarotti's statue playing ice hockey with the hashtag #DaiUnCinqueAPavarotti, which translates to Give a high-five to Pavarotti. I didn't expect a town would allow this treatment of the memory and the image of a person who made Italy great around the world, Ms. Mantovani told local outlet Il Resto del Carlino. She accused the council of making a poorly executed, absurd decision. The life-size bronze statue was officially unveiled in Pesaro in April 2024, with Ms. Mantovani and the couple's daughter, Alice, in attendance. The couple often holidayed in Pesaro, where Pavarotti had a villa and was an honorary citizen. Mayor Biancani told Il Resto del Carlino, which nicknamed the incident Pavarotti on Ice, that when plans for the ice rink were initially presented to him, he was assured that the Pavarotti statue would not be touched and that it was only later he found out designers had to alter their construction. He said it would not be possible to dismantle the rink or move the statue at this late stage, but insisted that it would not happen again. Pavarotti was an Italian tenor, widely known as one of the most successful opera stars of all time. His performances in the Three Tenors concerts were seen worldwide, especially his rendition of Nessun Dorma from Puccini's Turandot at the 1990 football World Cup in Italy. He died in 2007 at the age of 71, leaving behind four daughters from his two marriages, with Ms. Mantovani being his second wife.
Pavarotti’s Statue Encased in Ice Sparks Controversy in Italy
Pavarotti’s Statue Encased in Ice Sparks Controversy in Italy
A statue of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti in Pesaro, Italy, has found itself knee-deep in an ice rink, leading to backlash from his family and residents over what they see as disrespectful.
In a surprising move, the town of Pesaro encased a statue of the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti within a Christmas ice rink, resulting in public outcry and an apology from the mayor. Pavarotti's widow expressed her disappointment, calling the act a ridicule of his memory. The mayor admitted to making a mistake and assured that such incidents will not occur in the future.
