Thousands bid farewell to Pavarotti

Seven thousand excited fans arrived at the Point in Dublin last night to experience what could be Luciano Pavarotti's last visit to Ireland.

Billed as his farewell tour, the concert was booked out months in advance, with a second date added tomorrow night to meet demand.

Ticket touts dotted along the quays were doing a brisk trade in advance of last night's concert, charging up to €500 for a much sought after ticket. Heavy traffic resulted in some fans arriving after the start time.

Playing with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the world-renowned Italian tenor delivered a varied selection from his wide repertoire. Draped in a multicoloured scarf and seated in the centre of the stage surrounded by the orchestra, Pavarotti wooed fans with a gentle rendition of Bellini's Malinconia, Ninfa Gentile. His voice effortlessly filled the vast theatre, which echoed with applause after his rendition of Che Gelida Mania by Puccini. His image was projected on to a screen above the orchestra, ensuring that everyone had a good view of the master.

A passionate and playful rendition of a duet, O Soave Faniciulla, with soprano Carmela Remigio received prolonged applause from the audience.

John Hardiman, who travelled from Belfast especially for the concert, was delighted with the performance.

"Pavarotti is, what can I say - he still has it, the wonderful voice. Obviously he is not the same man he was when I saw him in Belfast six years ago, and it was a different performance, but it still packs a punch."

Victor Toland, who also travelled from Belfast, said that he thought the singer's voice was a little weaker. "We were miles away when we saw him at Stormont, it's a completely different experience here, this is better as far as acoustics go."

Sharon Betson, from Inchicore in Dublin, said that though she was not into opera she just had to see Pavarotti. "He's very, very good," she said. Ann Carney from Carlow said that the trip to Dublin had been absolutely worth it.

After Dublin, Pavarotti will perform in Mexico. His farewell tour will continue into 2006 to cater for the legion of fans he has accumulated over his 40-year career in opera.