of legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti will be held later today at the cathedral in his home town of Modena, northern Italy.U2 frontman Bono and former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan are expected to attend, alongside Italian prime minister Romano Prodi.
Singers Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras - who, with Pavarotti, formed the Three Tenors - are also on the guest list.
Among the family members will be Pavarotti's widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, who used to be the singer's personal secretary.
The Frecce Tricolori, Italy's equivalent of the Red Arrows, will perform a flypast.
And Andrea Bocelli will sing Panis Angelicus, a piece often performed by Pavarotti.
Thousands of mourners are expected to pack the cobbled square outside to see the service relayed on a giant screen.
Other screens have been erected around the town and the ceremony will also be broadcast live on Italian television.
The 71-year-old singer died on Thursday morning after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Pavarotti's body has lain in an open casket inside the cathedral and on Friday fans queued to pay their last respects to the man dubbed "The Voice of Italy".
By late evening, some 20,000 mourners had passed through, among them the Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano.
As midnight approached, many more were queuing patiently for a final glimpse of the star.
Pavarotti was dressed as if for a last performance in tuxedo, white shirt and scarf, with rosary beads clasped in his hands.
A bouquet of flowers stood behind the casket and in their midst was a crayon drawing from the singer's four-year-old daughter, Alice.
Thousands Greet Pavarotti's Body 07/09/07
Thousands of mourners have gathered in Modena, Italy to celebrate Opera star Luciano Pavarotti's life. This video shows the evening delivery of the legendary tenor's body to his home city's cathedral, where crowds had gathered throughout the day.
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