Bocelli will be accompanied only by the cathedral organist, Emanuele Vianelli, playing one of world’s largest pipe organs and performing a repertoire of sacred works including Pietro Mascagni’s Sancta Maria.
“Thanks to music, streamed live, bringing together millions of clasped hands everywhere in the world, we will hug this wounded Earth’s pulsing heart,” Bocelli said.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said in a statement that this year, Easter will be very different.
“The joyous serenity that usually comes with this day, has been greatly troubled by the pandemic we are experiencing,” Sala said.
“I am sure that the extraordinary voice of Bocelli will be the embrace we are missing these days, a strong, special hug, capable of warming the heart of Milan, Italy and the world.”
The concert, titled ‘Bocelli: Music for Hope’, will stream on Bocelli’s YouTube channel at 7:00 pm in Italy (3:00 am in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane; 2:30 am in Adelaide; and 1:00 am in Perth).
Separate from the Easter concert, the musician’s foundation has raised more than $140,000 for hospitals in Italy, which is the epicentre of Europe’s coronavirus outbreak.
He is also scheduled to perform in the ‘One World: Together At Home’ benefit concert on April 18.
Bocelli said regardless of people’s faith, he hopes Sunday’s concert will bring together “millions of clasped hands everywhere in the world”.
