Pavarotti wants to retire when he reaches 70

The opera star plans to step back from stage operas in 2005 to spend time with his partner Nicoletta Mantovani and their daughter.

He has announced he will perform three nights at the Metropolitan Opera in a production of Puccini's Tosca in March 2004.

Pavarotti, 67, upset fans last year when he cancelled his appearance at the last minute after catching flu in dress rehearsals.

Following his shows at the Met he will embark on a world tour as he reaches his 70th birthday in October 2005.

The moment is coming when I need to say 'enough' Luciano Pavarotti

"For all of 2004 and the beginning of 2005 I will sing in theatres where I had my career," he told Italian magazine Chi.

"No artist is immortal, maybe not even me. The moment is coming when I need to say 'enough'.

"This will be my last performance in a full opera at the Metropolitan Opera, and the performances will mark the beginning of a tour where I make my farewell performances around the world."

He added that even if his voice held up he wanted to devote more time to his family, saying his daughter Alice, who was born in January, had changed his life.

Cancelled sponsor

He also said that he and his partner would "definitely marry" but said it would be a private matter.

Pavarotti was due to perform his swansong with the Three Tenors in January but this was postponed after his partner was due to give birth.

The concert alongside Jos� Carreras and Placido Domingo has been rescheduled in the US for September.