Live On Easter: Opera Singer Andrea Bocelli To Perform In An Empty Cathedral

While Milan's historic Duomo Cathedral remains closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be opened for Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli who is set to perform for the people on Easter.

Bocelli will perform in front of empty pews inside the cathedral. According to CNN, the voice of the famed opera singer will be echoing through the cathedral. The performance will be livestreamed on the web and various social media platforms.

An announcement on Bocelli's Twitter account said that the free concert is "by invitation of the City and of the Duomo Cathedral of Milan." The performance, the tweet explained, would represent a message of "love, healing, and hope" addressed to Italy, which is currently at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, and to the world.

The Italian singer will be accompanied only by organist Emanuele Vianelli. The repertoire will include beloved pieces like "Sancta Maria" and "Ave Maria", Universal Music Group revealed in a news release.

The worldwide music icon will be performing in the cathedral for free. Giuseppe Sala, mayor of Milan, said in his message that Bocelli's voice will be the "embrace" that people have been searching for in these moments of uncertainty.

This is only one of Bocelli's many efforts to spread positivity in the time of COVID-19. He and Bruce Springsteen plan to reach their fans through music, with "The Boss" performing as a guest DJ, while the tenor will grace fans with a live performance, Gulf News reported.

Bocelli has also managed to raise more than $140,000 through his foundation. He plans to use this to help hospitals in his hometown of Italy. Aside from the Easter concert, he will also be performing at the "One World: Together At Home" concert on April 18.