Salvatore Licitra’s heart, liver, kidneys and corneas are removed to help others

During the night, tenor Salvatore Licitra, who died yesterday at Catania's Garibaldi hospital, underwent a final operation: to remove transplantable organs, as was his wish. His heart, liver, kidneys and corneas will be used to help others. Complying with the will of the artist, his family immediately agreed to make the donation.

From 15.00 until 21.00 today, and from 10.00 until 17.00 tomorrow, his open coffin will on show in the foyer of Catania's Teatro Bellini where mourners can pay their last respects. He last sang at the theatre in 2007 with his signature role, Cavaradossi in Tosca. The flag outside the theatre is at half-mast.

Gramilano( Editor )

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.

His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.