Subject: Pavarotti debut recording to be released after 50 years

Luciano Pavarotti's first ever recording is to be released 50 years after he made his British TV debut.

The recording, an aria from Puccini's La Boheme, was unearthed by his widow and re-mastered for release.

Pavarotti first performed in front of a British audience in 1963, when he appeared on Sunday Night At The London Palladium with Bruce Forsyth.

The Italian tenor, who became one of the most successful opera stars of all time, died of cancer in 2007.

Pavarotti's recording of Che Gelida Manina, which translates as Your Tiny Hand Is Frozen, had remained unheard in his personal archives for five decades.

It is being released by Decca Records as part of an album of 50 of his best tracks including Nessun Dorma, which became famous after being used in the coverage of the 1990 Italy World Cup.

Several of Pavarotti's duets with stars including Frank Sinatra, Bono and Eric Clapton will also feature on the album.

His widow, Nicoletta Mantovani said: "It is so wonderful that Decca is keeping Luciano's memory alive in this way, particularly with the celebration of this momentous anniversary."

Pavarotti was signed to Decca in 1963, the same year he made his Royal Opera House debut.

He became a worldwide star with his performances as part of the the Three Tenors and went on to enjoy huge commercial success.

The album is due for release in October.