KOŠICE
Pavarotti brings heavenly singing
Luciano Pavarotti, perhaps the world's most popular opera singer, gave a concert in Košice on May 16. Organized by Košice Town Hall, the concert took place in the city's amphitheater. Unfortunately, the weather decided not cooperate with helping Košice Mayor Rudolf Schuster's long-awaited dream come true, and the maestro had to deliver his exciting performance in the drizzling rain. "I sang with nice people [Slovak opera singer Peter Dvorský, flutist Andrea Grimminelli, and the Košice Philharmonic Orchestra]," Pavarotti said after the concert, while appreciating the audience's endurance. "I was very happy with the audience. They were so patient, even though it was raining. I am not sure I know how they were able to do it - can you imagine clapping and holding an umbrella in your hands at the same time?" Tickets were not sold out, most probably because they were going for 5,000 Sk ($147), a sum easily exceeding the monthly minimum wage in Slovakia.
BREZNO
Entrepreneur shot and burned
Mária C., 37, an entrepreneur from Banská Bystrica, was brutally murdered on May 18, when an unknown assailant shot her in the head, poured an unknown flammable liquid over her body and set it on fire. The body was found at a small rest area by the road near Brezno. The victim left Brezno the day before at around 10 p.m., saying she had to go and arrange some business. Her body was recovered by her employees during a search.
Compiled by Andrea Lörinzová
