The current COVID-19 pandemic is prompting musicians to sing songs of hope and perseverance. On Easter Sunday, Andrea Bocelli offered a live-streamed performance on Youtube from the Duomo Cathedral in Milan, Italy.

The live stream, which has since been seen by over 36 million viewers, featured Bocelli singing inside the Duomo, which is closed to the public. The performance featured well known sacred repertoire such as "Panis Angelicus" from César Franck's Messe Solenelle and "Ave Maria" arranged by Charles-François Gounod.

"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."

Italy is among the countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. With nearly 169,000 cases and over 22,000 deaths, Italy's troubles seem far from over. Lockdown is still in effect and doesn't show signs of abating any time soon.

It is in this stark reality that Bocelli lept at the chance to offer hope and inspiration. In a brief statement before the performance, he says that the music is merely a medium for expressing a prayer that could be embraced by all people in this time.

 

"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."

His final song was the well known Amazing Grace by John Newton. Interspersed with shots of empty streets, Bocelli's emotional performance hits a crescendo upon the lyrics, "was blind but now I see."

Bocelli's own eyesight was lost by the tender age of 12. He was diagnosed with glaucoma at five months old and lost the remainder of it after a soccer accident. His singing career began in the early 90s after famed Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti heard him on an audition tape.

 

Since then, he has recorded 15 solo albums, nine complete operas and has sold over 90 million records worldwide.

Bocelli and the Andrea Bocelli Foundation are currently involved in an emergency fundraising campaign to raise funds to help purchase necessary equipment for medical staff.