Pavarotti lying in state in Modena

MODENA, Italy, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Thousands of mourners filed past the body of opera great Luciano Pavarotti in Modena, Italy, Friday.

Pavarotti died at home early Thursday at the age of 71.

Dressed in a coat and tails, with a white foulard at his neck, he lay in state in a white open casket, ANSA reported.

An estimated 9,000 mourners turned out for a viewing Thursday evening and thousands more were lined up when the cathedral reopened Friday morning.

Two of Pavarotti's grown daughters stood near the coffin, along with his second wife, Nicoletta Mantovani, and her four-year-old daughter, Alice.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano was to attend the viewing Friday afternoon, while rock stars Bono and Elton John, along with Italian Premier Romano Prodiare, were expected at Saturday's funeral, ANSA said.