Pavarotti is to receive an Italian culture prize

Pavarotti, 71, has been suffering from pancreatic cancer and was released from hospital on 25 August after a series of tests were carried out.

He is now being treated at home in the northern city of Modena surrounded by family and friends.

Pavarotti had surgery for the cancer in July 2006 in New York and has not made any public appearances since then.

Tour

This week it was announced Pavarotti was to receive a prize from the Italian government for his work promoting the country's culture.

He is the first person to receive the award.

"This prize fills me with joy and pride," Italy's Ansa news agency had quoted Pavarotti as saying.

He had been admitted to hospital in Modena on 8 August with a fever. He was released two weeks later after diagnostic tests.

Despite hopes that he would be able to resume his farewell tour this year, his health has not allowed him to return to the stage.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the singer developed respiratory problems during the summer while on holiday at his villa on the Adriatic coast.

The tenor has undergone five bouts of chemotherapy since his cancer surgery last year, says our correspondent.