People in the News for May 20, 1998

Wednesday, May 20, 1998 | 10:51 a.m.

Two of Luciano Pavarotti's big passions are music and horses, and next month the tenor is using both of them to raise money for causes home and abroad. On June 9, proceeds from a concert at the military academy in Modena, Pavarotti's hometown, will help the organization War Child build a village in Liberia. Spike Lee will direct the concert, which, besides the opera star, will feature Celine Dion, Bon Jovi and the Spice Girls, organizers said Tuesday. And from June 11-14, much of Modena will be turned into a riding ground for horse shows, the proceeds of which will be used to buy the city an ambulance. "I feel very lucky," Pavarotti said. "Therefore, I think it's my duty to help those who haven't had my same opportunities."

Miscellany

Two days after pitching a perfect game, New York Yankee David Wells was presented with a gold-plated key to the city by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. The mayor proclaimed Tuesday "David Wells Day" and thanked the pitcher for giving the city a historic baseball thrill. "I give a lot of credit to my teammates," Wells said, "because if it wasn't for them, this wouldn't have happened." Since Sunday, Wells has become a major celebrity in town, even making an appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

Compiled by Sun staff