The world’s most beloved tenor, Maestro Andrea Bocelli, gave a stunning performance within the surrounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra in Saudi Arabia’s Al Ula this April.
This one of a kind event saw Andrea Bocelli share the stage with both his 9-year-old daughter Virginia and his son Matteo for the first time, showing the true talent of this musical family. Andrea sang Hallelujah alongside Virginia in a mesmerising performance that saw the crowd give a standing ovation.
Other songs performed included favourites from Puccini, hits from the artist most recent album, Believe, as well as songs from the Greatest Showman and Carousel. No Bocelli performance would be complete without an encore of Time to Say Goodbye and fans both at the event and millions watching live on MBC1 in MENA and the artist’s YouTube channel globally were not disappointed.
The musical genius is said to be able to play any instrument he puts his hands on and proved this on arrival at AlUla International Airport by playing a rendition of O sole mio on a Qanoun, or Zither. Andrea was also joined by musicians from the Arabian Philharmonic and special guests Loren Allred, soprano Francesca Maionchi, with Eugene Kohn at the piano.
Bocelli says the concert was about a celebration of life and music, “Our planet is beautiful and music is the world’s great unifier so this moment for us has been about spreading a little joy as we all see the light at the end of the tunnel and look forward to enjoying music together again soon.”
It marks the third successive year that Bocelli has performed in AlUla having delighted audiences at the previous two Winter at Tantora festivals. However, this is the first time that the ancient city of Hegra was the setting for a music event of this calibre. Hegra, built in the first century BCE by the Nabataean Kingdom, is an ancient desert city home to thousands of tombs cut into sandstone mountains. At least 100 tombs have elaborately carved facades, a signature of the skilled Nabataean craftsmen.
Bocelli said performing in such as setting was a very special moment for the family and for all the musicians on stage: “To be here creating a piece of history in such an inspirational setting so rich in human ingenuity, heritage and culture is truly a moment we will never forget.”
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