Minnelli could not leave the hospital

Pavarotti was joined at the Italian gig by U2 singer Bono, pop stars Ricky Martin, Queen, Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton and opera star Andrea Bocelli in the town of Modena.

Bono, teamed with Pavarotti, sang a version of Ave Maria, substituting the Latin words with English while Pavarotti stuck to the Latin prayer words.

In a TV hookup, Minnelli performed a few bars, unaccompanied by music, from the musical Cabaret.

"What good is sitting all alone in your room?" she sang, surrounded by hospital staff and family as she sat with her right leg in a full cast stretched out before her.

The star had fractured her knee cap after tripping on a step at her hotel.

Money pledged

It was the 10th annual "Pavarotti and Friends" benefit concert hosted by the tenor.

Pavarotti's 10th annual benefit gig was in aid of Iraqi refugees

This year's was organised to help the United Nations deal with the humanitarian emergency sparked by the Iraq war.

It aims to help Iraqi families - who fled to neighbouring countries during Saddam Hussein's regime - to return home.

Besides proceeds from ticket sales, money was also pledged by viewers of the event, which was broadcast in Italy and several other countries.

Minnelli is expected to undergo an operation at the Instituto Rizzoli hospital on Wednesday.