Pavarotti to sing last note in 2005 – on 70th birthday

Luciano Pavarotti ended months of speculation yesterday by announcing he would sing his last note on 12 October 2005, his 70th birthday.

The great Italian tenor, who has entranced audiences worldwide for decades, intends to be busy until then, giving concerts expected to strain the finances of devotees wishing to hear one of opera's finest voices.

The singer has had a troubled year. He lost his father and his mother. And flu forced him to pull out of two long-standing performances of Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York in May.

Yesterday Pavarotti told the American television station CNN: "In three years I will retire." Asked if he would hold to the date he had set, he replied: "Yes. I never sing, even in the bathroom, not even when I'm taking the shower."

His official spokeswoman said that by naming his retirement date, Pavarotti had simply decided to end the speculation that increased after his cancelled performances in New York. At the time Joe Volpe, the Metropolitan's general manager, fuelled the rumours by saying it was "a hell of a way to end a beautiful career at the Met".

Pavarotti's spokeswoman said he had not decided what form the farewell appearance would take. "He has set a date but he doesn't know whether it will be a concert or an opera or a gala or where it will be." But considering that tickets for the May performances were selling for £1,500, a very high price is likely to attach to the last chance to hear Pavarotti live.

The 66-year-old was born in Modena, Italy, in 1935, the only child of an opera-loving baker, and sang from childhood. His international career took off in 1963 when he stood in for a singer who had fallen ill at Covent Garden.

His career has lasted four decades, including landmark partnerships with stars such as Joan Sutherland. Appearances with his fellow performers Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras as the Three Tenors broadened his appeal.

John Allison, editor of Opera magazine, said whatever was thought of Pavarotti's "side antics", he had been a wonderful performer. "He is one of the greatest tenors of all time. His voice had that sort of unique timbre and sweetness, a way of moulding words into music. It is not something that even other great tenors do. People know how good he was, but if you listen to the recordings of, say, 30 years ago, it is still quite startling. There isn't anybody at present to match him."

Critics prepared for the worst in January when Pavarotti appeared at the Royal Opera House for his first opera, as opposed to a concert, performance there in seven years.

But Mr Allison said: "The amazing thing about the Tosca at Covent Garden was how good he was. You could hear he wasn't in his freshest voice, but some of the quality was still there."