Luciano Pavarotti could still appear in Llangollen

Popular soprano Lesley Garrett and bass singer Sir Willard White, will both appear at the festival.

However, organisers of the eisteddfod hope the veteran Italian tenor will present the winners of the Choir of the World with the Pavarotti Trophy.

Pavarotti is due to retire from performing this year.

We have our fingers crossed and we are hopeful that the maestro will come across Nigel Davies, Eisteddfod spokesman

The annual festival began in 1947 and attracts performers from across the world and will run between 5-10 July.

The Pavarotti Trophy was named in honour of the tenor last year and also his father, Fernando.

They were members of an Italian choir which won the competition in 1955.

Exactly 50 years after the singer began his international career at the festival, organisers hope he will return.

The singer, who turns 70 this year, is visiting 40 cities in a global farewell tour.

Sir Willard White and Lesley Garrett are booked for the festival

"We have our fingers crossed and we are hopeful that the maestro will come across," said eisteddfod spokesman Nigel Davies.

He added that he may not have final clarification of Pavarotti's movements until a month before the July festival.

Last year, Hollywood stars Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart were among the thousands of visitors to attend the event.

Both Ms Garrett and Sir Willard launched the 2005 International Eisteddfod at the offices of the British Council in London.

Lesley Garrett is due to perform at the opening Tuesday evening concert on 5 July, while Sir Willard will star in the closing Sunday's gala concert.

"I'm incredibly excited to be coming back to again. This is the third time I've sang at the eisteddfod," said Ms Garrett.

'Best in world'

"I'll get the chance to stay for a couple of days and I'll bring my mum.

"This festival is the best competition in the world I think," she added.

The festival was first planned by Harold Tudor from Coedpoeth near Wrexham as a means of bringing the nations of the world together through music, following World War Two.

Since then, performers from 124 countries have taken part at the festival, which was last year nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Artists to have appeared in Llangollen include Shirley Bassey, Bryn Terfel, Nigel Kennedy, Kiri Te Kanawa, Monserat Cabalie and James Galway.

This year 53 different countries are due to be represented including performers from Togo, Nepal and Ghana.