NEW YORK — The text of a statement issued by tenor Luciano Pavarotti issued on Sunday:

        I am writing, because today I have influenza, a common disease which would mean nothing were I not a tenor.

        This virus has unfortunately forced me to cancel two performances of “Tosca” scheduled at the New York Metropolitan Opera, a theater and audience which are very dear to me and that have provided some of the most unforgettable emotions and experiences of my whole career.

        From some of the newspaper reports, it seems almost as if my cancellation were considered something of a betrayal or a weakness, not to show up on that stage and undertake the profession to which I have dedicated almost my entire life.

        A proper vocal condition is the basic rule for any singing performance; without it, no matter how much willingness, talent, discipline or passion there is, it is simply impossible to offer the public the performance for which they have paid. With influenza, your vocal skills are dictated to and you have no control over it.

        I was looking forward to this “Tosca” with so much excitement and, as always, with a little trepidation: I have performed the role of Cavaradossi an endless number of times, but every performance is like a box where you discover a unique treasure of emotions, leaving invaluable memories.

        The media seems to imply that the New York opera public will not forgive my cancellation. But forgiveness assumes that one has made a mistake; no matter how much I regret with a passion not being able to sing at the Met on this occasion, catching the flu was certainly not a willful mistake I made.

       Yours sincerely
       Luciano Pavarotti

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