THE FRON Male Voice Choir has shared an interesting tale on the anniversary of the death of legendary opera singer Luciano Pavarotti.

The Italian tenor died aged 71 on September 6, 2007, in his hometown of Modena.

Pavarotti is regarded as one of the most prolific opera singers of all time, having given 378 performances at the world’s most prestigious theatres.

From 1961 until 2004, he wowed audiences in venues from the Wiener Staatsoper and the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, to the Teatro alla Scala and Metropolitan Opera House.

Last Friday marked 17 years since his death and members of the Acrefair-based choir were quick to remember a fascinating story about the singer.

Via their social media page, they re-called the time Pavarotti came to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

That was back in July 1955, when a 19-year-old Pavarotti was part of a male voice competition and, unsurprisingly, won.

But, perhaps what is not commonly known is that one of the members of the Fron Male Voice Choir hosted the Italian opera star alongside his family during that visit.

Dennis Williams - now 92 years old and still singing with the choir - and his family looked after Pavarotti when he stayed with them at their home in Froncysyllte.

The Fron Male Voice Choir said: "Did you know that Pavarotti's journey to becoming one of the greatest tenors ever had a special connection to Wales?

"In July 1955, a 19-year-old Pavarotti visited Llangollen with his father as part of the Modena choir 'Società Corale G. Rossini'. They competed in the Eisteddfod, winning the male voice competition by a landslide.

"During their stay, the young Pavarotti was hosted by a local family in Froncysyllte. In the evenings, he and other choir members would gather for impromptu singalongs with Fron Male Voice Choir members, including Dennis Williams, the son of Pavarotti's host family.

"Here's a fantastic fact: Dennis, now 92 years old, is still an active Fron Male Voice Choir member today! Talk about a lifelong passion for music!"

Pavarotti later credited this experience in North Wales with having solidified his focus on singing rather than pursuing his other passion in life, football.

Forty years later, in 1995, he returned to Llangollen for a special concert during Eisteddfod week.

This visit brought a wonderful reunion as the Fron Male Voice Choir renewed its friendship with the Modena choir, which was present to perform with Pavarotti in the concert.

Many choir members met Pavarotti at the Bryn Howell Hotel in Llangollen, surrounded by paparazzi and TV cameras.

The choir added: "As we mark 17 years since his passing, let's celebrate Pavarotti's extraordinary talent and unexpected Welsh connection in his remarkable life."