Luciano Pavarotti arrived in Shanghai on Saturday to prepare for a show that is part of his farewell tour.

The famous tenor will perform at the Shanghai Grand Stage on Tuesday.

"I'm happy to be here, very very very much and I remember the beautiful Chinese audience," Pavarotti told a press conference to promote the show yesterday.

The tenor, who turned 70 in October, flew into the city on Saturday on his private plane following a show in Hong Kong on Friday night.

After his Shanghai concert, he will travel to Beijing for another show on December 10.

"After retirement I will teach students, which I have already begun, spend more time with my wife, my friends and my daughter, who is 2 1/2 years old. She is beautiful and splendid," he said about his plans after wrapping up a 44-year singing career.

Pavarotti said he will cooperate with soprano Annalisa Rapagliosi and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra during his show tomorrow, which will open with several classic songs.

"In the first part of the Shanghai concert I will sing with a piano and during the next part I will perform with an orchestra," he said.

(Shanghai Daily December 5, 2005)