(BRUSSELS) - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso paid tribute Thursday to legendary Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti as a major European cultural figure who raised the profile of opera.

"This is a sad day for European opera culture," Barroso said in a statement read by his spokesman Johannes Laitenberger.

"Today we are without Luciano Pavarotti, one of the most famous and loved opera tenors, not only because of his exceptional talent, but also because he was sympathetic and had a strong social commitment," he added.

Hailed by many as the greatest tenor of his generation, Pavarotti died Thursday at his villa near the city of Modena after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

"His passing away deprives the world of opera and European culture of one its most loved and respected performers," Barroso said.

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