World-famous opera tenor Andrea Bocelli has accepted an invitation to perform a live-streamed concert at Milan’s Duomo cathedral on Easter Sunday 2020. The concert represents an effort to send a message of “love, healing, and hope” to Italy, and the world, as people everywhere struggle to traverse the global pandemic.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the Italian opera singer, 61, has been granted exclusive access to the cathedral by archpriest Monsignor Gianantonio Borgonovo and Milan’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala. The cathedral is otherwise closed.
Due to social distancing measures, the singer will be performing solo, accompanied only by the cathedral’s organist, Emanuele Vianelli.
Speaking of the concert, titled “Bocelli: Music for Hope,” the opera tenor stated, “On the day on which we celebrate the trust in a life that triumphs, I’m honored and happy to answer ‘Sì’ to the invitation of the City and the Duomo of Milan,” as quoted by Duomo di Milano.
“I believe in the strength of praying together,” Bocelli added. “I believe in the Christian Easter, a universal symbol of rebirth that everyone—whether they are believers or not—truly needs right now.”
“The generous, courageous, proactive Milan and the whole of Italy will be again, and very soon, a winning model,” Bocelli reflected, “[the] engine of a renaissance that we all hope for.” The singer then spoke of the prospect of singing in the Duomo cathedral on Easter Sunday as “a joy.”
The empty cathedral would ordinarily play host to a full congregation for Easter mass; in 2020, its vacant pews will exemplify the impact of Italy’s social distancing measures and the country’s efforts to help keep its citizens safe.
While “Bocelli: Music for Hope” will be performed in its entirety without a live audience, the footage will be streamed live on Bocelli’s YouTube channel on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
According to NPR, Bocelli confirmed that his performance would feature mostly spiritual songs, such as his popular rendition of “Ave Maria.”
The mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, revealed how happy he was that Bocelli had accepted the city’s invitation to mark Easter Sunday with a spirited concert for the masses. “This year, Easter will be very different for all of us,” said Sala, as reported by CNN. “The joyous serenity that usually comes with this day has been greatly troubled by the pandemic we are experiencing.”
“I am sure that the extraordinary voice of Bocelli will be the embrace we are missing these days,” the mayor reflected, “a strong, special hug, capable of warming the heart of Milan, Italy, and the world.”
In addition to performing his concert on Easter Sunday, the opera singer’s Andrea Bocelli Foundation has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for hospitals and front line staff. All funds raised will go toward purchasing personal protective equipment during the virus outbreak.
To date, the campaign has raised almost 135,000 euros (US$147,710). As the campaign continues to amass support, Bocelli prepares to bring hope to the hearts of a worldwide audience, listening from the safety and comfort of their own homes, on Easter Sunday.
“Thanks to music, streamed live, bringing together millions of clasped hands everywhere in the world,” said Bocelli, as quoted by Duomo di Milano, “we will hug this wounded Earth’s pulsing heart, this wonderful international forge that is reason for Italian pride.”
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