Pavarotti statue frozen knee-deep in ice rink strikes wrong note in Italy

The opera legend's widow said the town had made an "absurd decision" after it also encouraged skaters to high five the statue.

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The singer's widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, told local media that she was "angry and upset" at what she called the decision to "ridicule" her late husband.

The temporary ice rink was constructed in the centre of the town's piazza, leaving Pavrotti's statue knee-deep in ice and surrounded by perspex walls.

In response, Mayor Andrea Biancani said that he didn't mean to offend anyone, and admitted that his council had "made a mistake".

Before it was opened on 29 November, Biancani posted a doctored image of Pavarotti's statue playing ice hockey with the hashtag #DaiUnCinqueAPavarotti, which translates to "Give a high-five to Pavarotti".