Millions Watch Andrea Bocelli’s Easter Concert From Milan’s Duomo

Today, on an Easter Sunday like no other, Italian tenor and global music icon Andrea Bocelli gave the most extraordinary performance of his life from Milan’s empty Duomo cathedral. Although there was no audience present millions of people across the globe watched his emotional performance, streamed live via YouTube, uniting the world at a time when many are apart and isolated at home.

“I will cherish the emotion of this unprecedented and profound experience” – Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli was invited to give this unique performance by the City of Milan and the Duomo cathedral. “I will cherish the emotion of this unprecedented and profound experience, of this Holy Easter which this emergency has made painful, but at the same time even more fruitful, one that will stay among my dearest memories of all time,” noted Andrea Bocelli. “That feeling of being at the same time alone – as we all are in the presence of the Most High – yet of expressing the voice of the prayer of millions of voices, has deeply impressed and moved me. Love is a gift. Making it flow is the primary purpose of life itself. And I find myself once again indebted to life. My gratitude goes to all those who made this possible, the City of Milan and the Duomo, and to all those who accepted the invitation and joined in a planetary embrace, gathering that blessing from Heaven that gives us courage, trust, optimism, in the certainty of our faith.”

The recording of this unique performance has been released

Accompanied only by the cathedral organist, Emanuele Vianelli, Andrea Bocelli sang a carefully chosen selection of pieces specially arranged for solo voice and organ for the occasion, in the still of a city under continued lockdown. These included the Ave Maria setting by Bach/Gounod, Amazing Grace, performed outside the Duomo with an unaccompanied opening, and uplifting sacred music repertoire for one of the holiest days of the year. The recording of this unique performance, Andrea Bocelli’s Music For Hope: From the Duomo di Milano, has been released digitally on audio streaming services.

The biggest live-streamed classical music event of all time

This historic event reached over 2.8 million peak concurrent viewers, making it one of the biggest musical live stream performances of all time and the largest simultaneous audience for a classical live stream in YouTube history. The video received more than 28 million views from across the globe in its first 24 hours. These staggering figures make this event the biggest live-streamed classical music event of all time.

Andrea Bocelli noted, “I am moved and delighted to have received such an overwhelming reaction, that has gone beyond our highest expectations. It was an immeasurable honour and privilege to lend my voice to the prayers of millions of people, gathered in a single embrace.”

Bocelli, with the Foundation that carries his name, the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF), has started a fundraising campaign to support hospital departments during the COVID-19 emergency. It is possible to donate through the GoFundMe campaign or by contacting the Andrea Bocelli Foundation.

Listen to Andrea Bocelli’s Music For Hope: From the Duomo di Milano here.

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Format: UK English