AMONG the many tributes to Luciano Pavarotti there will be an acclaim that he was larger than life, had a great talent and popularised classical music, epitomised by his performance of Nessun Dorma at the 1990 World Cup.

For many years classical music was enjoyed by those who revelled in opera, ballet, as well as orchestral works, but Pavarotti broke the mould, bringing arias into the world of popular music.

Pavarotti had a lot in common with the tradition of Italian tenors, as popular as pasta in a country that immortalises opera. He will be remembered with the rest, such as Caruso, but he went a step further, as only he could, with a persona that fitted his physical presence.

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe, Durham.