As church-goers across the globe are ordered to stay indoors and practice social distancing, Andrea Bocelli made an announcement that will make the lack of in-person worship services a little bit easier to bear.
"On Easter Sunday at 6PM UK, by invitation of the City and of the Duomo Cathedral of Milan, Italian global music icon Andrea Bocelli will give a solo performance representing a message of love, healing and hope to Italy and the world," the 61-year-old tweeted on Tuesday.
Bocelli and his organist Emanuele Vianelli will be the only two in the cathedral at the time of the performance, which will be live-streamed on his YouTube channel.
"On the day in 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," Bocelli said in a statement.
"I believe in the strength of praying together; I believe in the Christian Easter, a universal symbol of rebirth that everyone — whether they are believers or not — truly needs right now," he continued.
- 1
- 2
- 3
"Thanks to music, streamed live, bringing together millions of clasped hands everywhere in the world, we will hug this wounded Earth’s pulsing heart, this wonderful international forge that is reason for Italian pride," he added. "It will be a joy to witness it, in the Duomo, during the Easter celebration which evokes the mystery of birth and rebirth."
"Andrea Bocelli: Music For Hope" will air live on Sunday, April 12, at 1 p.m. ET.