Pavarotti pines for Madonna

Luciano Pavarotti has collaborated with rock musicians including Bono, Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin and Annie Lennox. But Madonna has been playing hard to get.

"I have wanted to sing with Madonna for a very long time," Pavarotti told the New York Post.

"She has promised that she would sing, but I do not know if she was joking or serious. But I think she was serious because she is a serious lady. She is also a superb singer."

Pavarotti, aged 64, is scheduled to perform at Madison Square Garden this week.