Luciano Pavarotti: celebrating the great tenor's 80th anniversary

1. Bravo, Luciano!

Pavarotti would have been 80 this month. He profoundly influenced the classical music world, and beyond - here's our look at how one man from Modena changed everything.

2. A voice like no-one before him

When he took to the stage at London's Royal Opera House in Covent Garden it was clear that this was a very special singer. A rich Italian tone, effortless power, and crystal clear top notes - and he would change the opera world forever

3. A musical presence that everyone recognised was very special

Queen Elizabeth I, the Queen Mother, talking with Luciano Pavarotti - still in costume in the Crush bar at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, after attending the Gala performance of Donizetti's 'Fille du Régiment'.

4. He led a golden era in opera

He was part of an incredible generation of opera singers and conductors. Here he is with mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, left, soprano Dame Joan Sutherland, right, and conductor Richard Bonynge in 1981. Pavarotti (AP Photo)

5. And then there were the tenors that changed the musical world for ever

The Three Tenors, from left, Jose Carreras, Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo, at a press conference at a Tokyo hotel in this June 25, 2002. (AP Photo/Naokazu Oinuma, FILE)

6. Opera met the world of football

Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti took opera to the masses with their stadium tours as The Three Tenors. Image: PA

7. Pavarotti and Domingo - a deep, musical friendship

Pavarotti is pictured with Plácido Domingo. His style was not big or darkly dramatic like Domingo’s, but Pavarotti’s voice was instinctively lyrical and musical. He never forced it beyond its natural range and capability, which meant it did not deteriorate or fail him. Image: PA

8. Pop levels of superstardom

Pavarotti was one of the few classical stars to have become a household name. He's pictured here with the King of Pop Michael Jackson as they attend an Italian TV award gala in Milan, 1997.

9. Singing with the biggest rock bands

Rock musician Bono, speaks with Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti during rehearsal for the "Pavarotti & Friends 2003" annual charity concert at the Novi Sad Park in Modena, Italy, in this May 26, 2003.(AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)

10. Pavarotti and the Spice Girls

Pavarotti enjoyed raising the profile of classical music through appearances with prominent pop stars – including The Spice Girls.

11. Pavarotti with Mariah Carey

Pavarotti with Mariah Carey sing "Hero" during the "Pavarotti & Friends" concert in Modena's Novi Sad park in 1999. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

12. Pavarotti, Princess Diana and Prince Charles

A soaking wet Prince and Princess of Wales talk with tenor Luciano Pavarotti after his free concert in London's Hyde Park, Great Britain, July 30, 1991. Pavarotti and Diana, Princess of Wales, raised money for the elimination of land mines worldwide. (AP Photo/Nigel Marple)

13. Pavarotti and Princess Diana

Pictured with the Princess of Wales, a great friend of the singer. The two worked together with high-profile charity causes and events

14. A very special friendship

Princess Diana, Princess of Wales laughs with Pavarotti backstage at a concert in Hyde Park. Picture: Getty

15. Mirella Freni

As a baby, Pavarotti shared a wet nurse with soprano Mirella Freni. She used to joke: "You can see who got most of the milk!"

16. Pavarotti with Joan Sutherland

Pavarotti on stage with the great soprano Joan Sutherland.

17. Pavarotti with Paul McCartney

Tenor Luciano Pavarotti talks to Sir Paul McCartney during Gramophone's 1997 Classical Music Awards at London's Alexandra Palace Photo by Adam Butler/PA*EDI*.

18. A tribute from one of today's finest tebors, Juan Diego Flórez

His voice made a big impact on fellow tenor Juan Diego Flórez: "Pavarotti's a great example of the joy of singing, the joy of sound – his tone is as beautiful as the sun," he said.

19. Pavarotti memorial in a football stadium

A picture of world renown Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti appear on the giant screen as a recording of him singing "Nessum Dorma" was played in tribute, Saturday Sept. 8, 2007 in Wembley Stadium, London. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

20. Roberto Alagna in Verdi's Otello

Pavarotti was a generous mentor. Roberto Alagna idolised him. “From the start I had boundless admiration for this man who was an over the top icon as a human being, a musician and as a singer…The first time I met him, it was like looking at God. For me, he was both Bacchus and Poseidon. He had this stature, this presence, a charisma, a smile, a look, this manner of speaking…all sublime.”

21. Modena remembers

This is an image of Pavarotti's home town of Modena, packed with people waiting in a line to pay their homage to Pavarotti as he lay in state in Modena's Duomo, Sept. 7, 2007.