Andrea Bocelli on Easter quarantine concert: ‘Music can become a prayer’

The coronavirus crisis may prevent you from going to church on Sunday, but you can still worship the talent of Andrea Bocelli when he brings an Easter concert directly to your home. The Italian tenor, 61, will be raising spirits with his “Music for Hope” performance — in front of empty seats — at the …

The coronavirus crisis may prevent you from going to church on Sunday, but you can still worship the talent of Andrea Bocelli when he brings an Easter concert directly to your home.

The Italian tenor, 61, will be raising spirits with his “Music for Hope” performance — in front of empty seats — at the historic Duomo di Milano in Italy, which will be livestreamed on YouTube at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. The blind singer — who is also aiding COVID-19 relief with his Andrea Bocelli Foundation — discusses over the phone from Italy how he’s coping in quarantine, what he learned from Luciano Pavarotti, and the other tenor in the family.

How are you doing in quarantine?

I’m here in my house in Tuscany, trying to spend my time in the most intelligent way, but it’s not so easy. I have the privilege to be in my house with all my family all together in a beautiful place. Usually I am around the world, and now I am here with them. And then I read, I play, I sing, I study — all these things.

What has been your low point during all of this?

Receiving all this terrible news from the north of Italy, where many people were dying. Many old people were dying from the virus. It was very sad.

There have also been uplifting stories about people singing together from their balconies and windows in Italy.

Many people stay in a small apartment in the cities, and it’s not so easy [to be in quarantine]. To sing from the balconies is a way to feel a little bit better. Music can help.

And you’ll be giving people hope through music on Sunday.

When music can become a prayer, I think it’s the most noble way to sing. I’m a singer, and my best way to pray for my country, for the people suffering at this moment, is to sing. And [the Milan Cathedral] is a very important place of our religion. I will sing “Ave Maria,” “Domine Deus,” a beautiful piece by Rossini, and “Sancta Maria” by Mascagni. And then, outside of the church, I will sing “Amazing Grace.”

What would you normally be doing on a typical Easter Sunday?

Of course I would go to church. Then I would be here in my house with my family. In this case, I will leave my house for Milan, and I will come back in the evening … For Christian people, Easter is the most beautiful day of the year, because it is the day of hope.

Luciano Pavarotti was a big influence on you. What was the best advice you ever got from him?

We spoke a lot about technique. And for me, he was really, really important for improving my technique.

Your youngest son, Matteo, 22, is also a tenor. How is he doing following in your footsteps?

Matteo is studying. Just yesterday he had an examination [online]. And I hope he will be able to have a good career as a singer because he has the heart and the musicality. I try to give him the best suggestions possible, but then every decision [he makes] by himself.

What are you looking forward to doing when you can be free from quarantine?

I will go back to my country [home], and I will go to ride my horses. They miss me, and I miss them a lot.