The widow of legendary opera singer Luciano Pavarotti has expressed fury and disappointment after a bronze statue erected in his honour was effectively encased within a temporary Christmas ice rink in an Italian city.
An Icy Reception for a Bronze Tribute
Nicoletta Mantovani, Pavarotti's widow, said she was left 'disappointed, angry and upset' after seeing images of the lifesize statue seemingly trapped up to its knees within the festive installation in Pesaro. The coastal city in the Marche region held a special connection with the late tenor, who had a home there and was an honorary citizen.
The statue, which depicts Pavarotti in a tuxedo with arms outstretched and holding his signature handkerchief, was unveiled with fanfare last year in Piazzale Lazzarini. It was intended as a permanent tribute to the singer, who died in 2007 at the age of 71.
Mayor's 'High Five' Gaffe Adds Insult to Injury
The controversy was compounded when the Mayor of Pesaro, Andrea Biancini, shared an image of the entrapped statue on social media. He used a hashtag that encouraged skaters to 'give Pavarotti a high five', an act which Mantovani and others perceived as deeply disrespectful.
Speaking to the local newspaper Il Resto del Carlino, Mantovani stated the decision to build 'a very ugly ice rink' around the monument had ridiculed her husband's memory. 'It was like a bolt out of the blue,' she said. 'I'm sorry the city allowed something like this, because it affects Luciano's image and the respect he deserves. It's just not right.'
An Apology, But No Immediate Solution
Following the outcry, Mayor Biancini issued a public apology, admitting the local council had 'made a mistake'. He insisted there was no intention to show disrespect and claimed he had been assured the statue would not be incorporated into the rink's structure.
However, with the ice rink scheduled to open, he stated it was now too late to dismantle it. He also warned that attempting to move the heavy bronze statue would be costly and risked causing damage. The newspaper described the scene as leaving the tribute 'stuck between the guardrails and Christmas lights, like a stage character who fell into the wrong place'.
The incident has sparked a debate about the appropriate treatment of public memorials, particularly those honouring cultural icons of Pavarotti's stature. The statue remains in place, awaiting the end of the festive season.
