We haven't heard much from Andrea Bocelli since he sang 'Nessun Dorma' to celebrate Leicester's Premier League win a few years ago, but it remains one of the greatest things we've ever witnessed on an English football pitch.
Fast forward to 2020. Europe is under lockdown, churches are closed, Easter is off, Italy is in deep grief and the world needs a sweeping Bocelli aria like it has never needed an aria before.
Andrea Bocelli does not disappoint. Today he revealed plans for a concert taking place this Sunday evening live from Milan's famous Duomo catherdral. Bocelli will perform the concert in an empty cathedral --- empty bar the people producing the concert and organist Emanuele Vianelli, who'll be accompanying Bocelli on one of the world's largest organs. Bocelli's incredible voice, a really loud organ and an empty cathedral - just imagine how emotional it will be. Milan is of course in the very heart of northern Italy, where Covid-19 has been particularly cruel. You might want to have a few tissues ready because this is going to be intense.
The concert starts at 6pm Irish time on Sunday and will be streamed on youtube.
Bocelli today today told the Guardian that people needn't fear covid-19.
“During moments like this, as we are forced to stay at home, we have to grasp the opportunity to do things that often we would like to do, but which we don’t have time for,” he said. “Let’s begin: speak to your children, and try with all your strength to create a family harmony that often is not there because dialogue is missing.”
Photo credit: Fabio Diena / Shutterstock.com
