Pavarotti's widow suing friends

The move comes weeks after Ms Mantovani, 37, attacked the Italian media for reporting "unseemly gossip" about her marriage to the tenor.

"Since the comments did not cease - and were, in fact, reiterated - Mantovani had no choice but to file the lawsuit," said her lawyer, Anna Maria Bernini.

Pavarotti died aged 71 in Modena, northern Italy, in September.

The two people named in the legal case are Franca Corfini Strata, the wife of the late singer's dietician, and Lidia La Marca, who is married to conductor Leone Magiera.

Ms Mantovani is seeking 15 million euros (£10.7m) in damages from each, and intends to to donate any award to charity, Ms Benini said.

Neither woman was available for comment, and no date has been set for a hearing.

Rumours denied

Pavarotti had one child, Alice, with Ms Mantovani, who was his second wife.

In his will, the performer left half of his estate to Ms Mantovani - formerly his personal assistant - and half to his four daughters.

Speaking to Italy's RAI state TV in October, Ms Mantovani said she wanted to leave her daughter with solid evidence she had defended herself and Pavarotti from press gossip.

She denied being left in debt or that she was squabbling with his three adult daughters over his will.

"I'm here and can defend myself. But Luciano can't, and Alice is a four-year-old child," she said.

Pavarotti was famed for helping to popularise opera, particularly through his signature tune, Nessun Dorma, which became associated with the 1990 World Cup.

His performances with Placido Domingo and Jose Carerras at this time - in the Three Tenors concerts - were seen around the world.

The singer died at his home in Modena, northern Italy, having being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006.