The mayor of Pesaro, Italy has issued a public apology to the family of legendary opera singer Luciano Pavarotti after a Christmas ice rink was built around the town's statue honoring the late tenor, leaving it knee-deep in ice. The controversial installation has sparked outrage from Pavarotti's widow, who accused local officials of disrespecting her late husband's memory.
Nicoletta Mantovani, Pavarotti's widow, expressed her anger and disappointment with the town's decision in an interview with local media outlet Il Resto del Carlino. "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," Mantovani said. She described the situation as a "poorly executed, absurd decision" that served to "ridicule" her late husband.
The temporary ice rink was constructed in the center of the town's main piazza, completely surrounding the bronze statue with perspex walls and leaving Pavarotti's figure frozen knee-deep in ice. Mayor Andrea Biancani acknowledged the mistake and admitted that his council had made an error in judgment. "I didn't mean to offend anyone," Biancani stated in his apology.
Before the ice rink's official opening on November 29, Mayor Biancani had posted a doctored image on social media showing Pavarotti's statue playing ice hockey, accompanied by the hashtag "DaiUnCinqueAPavarotti," which translates to "Give a high-five to Pavarotti." The post, intended to promote the new attraction, instead drew criticism for its inappropriate treatment of the memorial.
The life-size bronze statue was officially unveiled in Pesaro in April 2024, with Mantovani and the couple's daughter, Alice, attending the ceremony. The location holds special significance for the Pavarotti family, as the renowned tenor often vacationed in Pesaro, where he owned a villa and was granted honorary citizenship by the town.
Mayor Biancani explained to Il Resto del Carlino that when the ice rink plans were initially presented to him, he was assured that the Pavarotti statue would remain untouched. However, he later discovered that designers had been forced to alter their construction plans, resulting in the statue being encased within the rink. The incident has been dubbed "Pavarotti on Ice" by local media.
The mayor stated that it would not be possible to dismantle the rink or relocate the statue at this late stage in the project, but he promised that such a situation "would not happen again." The ice rink is expected to remain in place through the holiday season, meaning the statue will continue to be surrounded by ice until the temporary installation is removed.
Luciano Pavarotti, who died in 2007 at the age of 71 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, is widely regarded as one of the most successful opera singers of all time. His performances as part of the Three Tenors concerts were broadcast worldwide, and his rendition of "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's "Turandot" at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy became iconic. His final public performance took place at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
The legendary tenor left behind four daughters from his two marriages. Mantovani, his second wife, remarried financial advisor Alberto Tinarelli in 2020. The current controversy has highlighted the ongoing importance of preserving Pavarotti's legacy and treating memorials to cultural icons with appropriate respect and dignity.
