Andrea Bocelli's 'Music For Hope' Inspires During Easter
People looking for hope in the face of the continuing coronavirus pandemic found it last Sunday with a performance by the famed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli at Italy’s Duomo di Milano.
USA Today reports that the 61-year-old blind singer was honored to accept the invitation to sing, especially on a day celebrating “trust in a life that triumphs.” Bocelli also praised streaming technology, saying it allowed millions around the world to “hug this wounded Earth’s pulsing heart.”
The concert, titled “Music for Hope: Live From Duomo di Milano,” featured Bocelli, an organist, and the empty Duomo di Milano. Bocelli sang four songs, namely "Domine Deus," "Ave Maria," "Sancta Maria," and "Panis Angelicus."
Throughout the concert, shots were shown of some of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, such as New York’s Times Square, Paris’s Eiffel Tower, and London’s Trafalgar Square. Because of coronavirus-induced lockdowns all around the world, all of these landmarks showed empty streets.
The concert ended with Bocelli heading to the cathedral square, standing before a single microphone, and singing “Amazing Grace.” USA Today described the rendition as “stunning,” noting how Bocelli’s voice echoed in the empty square.
The performance is also set to benefit the Andrea Bocelli fund, according to EuroNews. The money raised will be used to help hospitals when it comes to purchasing necessary equipment such as personal protective equipment, also known as PPEs.
Bocelli’s performance is just the latest in the many ways that the entertainment industry has been working to help out during this coronavirus crisis. Academy Award winner Elton John managed to raise millions thanks to his “Living Room Concert for America.” The benefit concert featured appearances by Melissa McCarthy, Ryan Seacrest, Ellen Degeneres, and performances by Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, H.E.R., and more.
The main beneficiaries of John’s benefit concert were Feeding America and the First Responders Children’s Foundation, both of whom help COVID-19 first responders and frontliners.
The World Health Organization situation report for Apr. 12 states that there have been 85,679 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the global total to 1,696,588. The coronavirus has now killed 105,952 people around the world, with 6,262 new deaths.
The European Region makes up the bulk of those confirmed coronavirus cases, with 880,106 people. New cases are at 40,849. Coronavirus fatalities in the European Region are at 74,237 people.
Italy, in particular, has been hard hit by COVID-19. Lombardy, where Milan is located, has had nearly 60,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The number of dead is at 10,000 people.