Luciano Pavarotti, the famed Italian opera tenor, will be singing in the desert near Mexicali this October 18, 2003. The event, advertised as "Pavarotti sin fronteras", is expected to draw a crowd of more than 40,000. The concert's producer Darío de León and Nezahualcoyotl Perez, the coordinator, announced the spectacle will take place at Laguna Salada, about 23 kilometers west of Mexicali . Two million dollars from Mexican and foreign sponsors as well as advanced ticket sales, have already been spent on the project.

An outdoor structure will be built for the open air concert.

León says this will be the region's farewell engagement with Pavarotti, who announced he would retire when he reaches his 70th birthday, which occurs on October 12, 2005.

It was originally intended that Pavarotti would be accompanied by his colleague Plácido Domingo, but this plan was abandoned when Mr. Domingo showed signs of suffering from respiratory problems.

Proceeds from the event will go to Mexicali's centenary committee and to the Televisa television network's charitable foundation . The concert will be held on Mexicali's 100th anniversary.