Pavarotti Pledges Live Voice to San Diego : Opera: Famed tenor acknowledges his mistake in lip-syncing a performance for BBC, won’t follow suit tonight.

On the defense after the recent controversy over a lip-sync performance in Italy by Luciano Pavarotti, San Diego Opera general director Ian Campbell assured the public that the tenor will give a completely live performance tonight at the San Diego Sports Arena. Campbell, whose company is presenting the concert, made the statement in a Wednesday afternoon press conference at the downtown Westgate Hotel. Pavarotti, attired in his customary flowing gown and trademark handkerchief splayed across his chest, also allayed fears that something might be wrong with his voice.

When the celebrated tenor gave a lip-sync performance before a live audience Sept. 27 from Modena, Italy, for the BBC, the venerable broadcasting company sued him for half of his $40,000 fee. Although it was a radio broadcast, the BBC had contracted for a live performance. And, although the BBC was informed the day before the performance that the tenor had decided to use a recording, it aired the two-hour concert anyway.

Speaking in the hotel’s ornate ballroom, Pavarotti appeared nonchalant as he admitted that the BBC affair was a lapse of judgment.

“What we did once, we did wrong,” he stated. “We had only 24 hours to put together this concert, so we decided to lip-sync. If they (the BBC) want their money back, I am willing to do it.”

Concerning the state of his vocal cords, Pavarotti said he is fine, pointing to the fact that he has just finished successful performances of Puccini’s “Tosca” at London’s Covent Garden and at the Met in New York. In a genial mood, he spoke with his unique combination of folksy intimacy and diffidence, and even admitted that some roles still scare him, such as the title role of Verdi’s “Otello,” which he has performed only in a concert version.

Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Pavarotti will sing a program of arias by Puccini, Verdi, Meyerbeer and Massenet, as well as his wonted Neapolitan songs. Flutist Andrea Griminelli will share the stage with Pavarotti and an ad hoc orchestra under the baton of Leone Magiera. Griminelli will play solo works by Bizet and Marcello.