Pavarotti 'will return to stage'

The tenor said he was feeling better after his surgery

Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti says he will return to the stage in 2007 despite recent surgery for pancreatic cancer, according to reports.

"I have every intention of returning to singing," the tenor, 70, told Italy's La Stampa newspaper.

"I'll have to discuss it with the doctors, but I think I'll start again next year," he said.

The singer was forced to cancel the remaining dates on his farewell tour following surgery earlier this month.

He was preparing to leave the US to begin a series of concerts in the UK when doctors discovered a malignant pancreatic mass.

It was removed completely by surgeons in New York, according to Pavarotti's manager, Terri Robinson.

'Marvellous feeling'

Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras are the Three Tenors

Asked how he was feeling following the surgery, Pavarotti told La Stampa: "Better, better, better".

"I'm finally at home, my home, finally out of the hospital. What can I say? It's a marvellous feeling," he continued.

The tenor said he would like to return to Italy in the coming weeks to continue his recovery.

The twice-married father of four had been scheduled to perform in Finland, Norway, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal in September.

He began an extensive farewell tour last year after announcing his retirement - but it has frequently been interrupted by illness and injuries.

Long career

In March 2005, he had neck surgery to repair two vertebrae, while a bout of laryngitis forced him to cancel an appearance at a Three Tenors concert in Mexico the following June.

He recently had back surgery and contracted an infection while in hospital, forcing him to cancel dates in Canada, the US and the UK.

Since making his debut in Italy in 1961, Pavarotti has become the world's most widely-recognised opera singer.

Between 1990 and 2003, he performed 34 concerts with fellow tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras as the Three Tenors, including appearances at four World Cup finals.

Pancreatic cancer can be one of the most lethal cancers if not caught early, according to medical experts.

Smokers, heavy eaters, heavy drinkers and people with diabetes are among those with an increased risk of the condition.

The pancreas is a gland in the abdomen that produces hormones and digestive juices.