Opera star Luciano Pavarotti, who has been fighting pancreatic cancer, is in serious condition and his health is deteriorating, Italian news agencies reported Wednesday.

Pavarotti is said to be at his home in Modena, Italy, and under the care of doctors from the local hospital where he has been treated for cancer.

Luciano Pavarotti, shown in 2004, hasn't performed for a year as he battles illness.
(Canadian Press)

Television station E' TV Antenna-1 in Modena reported the 71-year-old tenor had lost consciousness and was suffering from kidney problems.

The ANSA news agency, citing medical sources, said Pavarotti was believed to have lost consciousness for brief moments in recent days.

His family and friends have gathered at his home.

Pavarotti's manager, Terri Robson, did not deny the reports, but had no comment on his condition.

The news comes a day after Pavarotti was honoured by the Italian government for his work promoting Italian culture.

Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli announced Tuesday that Pavarotti was the first recipient of the Excellence in Italian Culture Award.

As he made the announcement of the new honour, Rutelli acknowledged Pavarotti is in the battle of his life.

"In these days, one of the greatest of Italians is conducting a major battle against illness with the same determination … as he showed in his formidable career," said Rutelli. "In light of everything, we didn't want him to miss formal recognition."

In August, Pavarotti spent two weeks in a hospital near his home in Modena with a respiratory infection.

He had surgery in July 2006, and underwent repeated rounds of chemotherapy, while cancelling all concert appearances in the past year.

Milan's La Scala opera house also has plans to honour the singer, who first performed there more than 40 years ago. It is working with a theatre in Modena to organize a singing competition dedicated to Pavarotti.

"It is a precious chance to pay homage to the career of Luciano Pavarotti, a symbol of Italian music in the world," La Scala said in a statement.

One of the world's most recognizable opera singers, Pavarotti debuted as Rodolfo in Puccini's La Bohème in Italy in 1961.

He is credited with bringing opera to the masses as well as maintaining interest in the art form, especially as part of The Three Tenors with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras from 1990 through 2003.

Known for his impassioned style of singing, he also has been a centre of media attention in Italy for tax woes and his romantic entanglement with a much younger woman who eventually became his wife.

With files from the Associated Press