BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The world renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti has set China as one important station of his farewell tour, and will give performance in Beijing and Shanghai for his "most favored" Chinese audience this December.

    The Chinese organizers said here Thursday at a press conferencethat Pavarotti, representative of opera and tenor art, will celebrate his 70th birthday this October. The maestro decided to make his farewell tour performance at the beginning of this year. At each station of his tour, he will perform 34 repertoires marking the peak of his 44-year singing career.

    "Pavarotti held deep affection for the Chinese audience," saidWang Pengju, representative of the chief organizers in China, In June, 1986, Pavarotti came to China for the first time, heading the Italian opera artists to stage Bohemian by Puccini. He also perform solo singing at the Great Hall of the People, winning wide-ranging acclaim from the Chinese audience. 15 years later, Pavarotti joined hands with other two top tenors Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras to stage a performance in the Forbidden City to support Beijing's bidding for the 2008 Olympic Games.

    "I remember quite well that 10,000 audience sang with us three on the spot, and ever since then, I always thought the Chinese audience are the greatest audience," Pavarotti was quoted as saying this to the Chinese organizers of his tour performance.

    Born in an ordinary family in 1935, Pavarotti showed his gift ever since he was a child. In 1955, he went to receive professional training on vocality, and immediately scored his first prize in 1961. In 1972, he was entitled "King of the hi-C" for his marvellous talent in singing with high tone.

    The Chinese organizers said the preparation for Pavarottie's China tour began at the end of last year, with concerted efforts of seven local art and entertainment agencies. Enditem