Pavarotti sings for final opera

NEW YORK, March 13 (UPI) -- Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti sings his final opera in New York City's Metropolitan Opera house Saturday.

The tenor, who made his Met debut in 1968 and sang 373 performances at the Met, is making a final performance as painter Mario Cavaradossi in Puccini's "Tosca."

Pavarotti told the BBC that in the future he plans to teach music and spend more time with his wife Nicoletta and their baby daughter.

Pavarotti, who has had illness mar recent Met performances, said he wanted to pay the Met a proper goodbye.

Two years ago the 68-year-old singer walked out of the Met before a disappointed sell-out crowd of 4,000.

Pavarotti recently appeared in Ceaser's Palace in Las Vegas with Celine Dion.