PR88937

ALULA, Saudi Arabia, Apr. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

The world's most beloved tenor, Maestro Andrea Bocelli, gave a stunning

performance within the surrounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra last

night. The concert's many stand out moments included a performance from Andrea

Bocelli with his 9-year-old daughter Virginia. The duo sang Hallelujah to the

delighted and intimate crowd attending the event. In fact, the concert is the

first time Andrea has shared the stage with both his son Matteo and his

daughter. The multi-talented family showed off their musical prowess with

Bocelli swapping instruments throughout the performance.

Songs 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 artists

YouTube channel globally were not disappointed.

As well as the surprise performance from young talent Virginia Bocelli, the

master tenor was joined by musicians from the Arabian Philharmonic and special

guests Loren Allred, Matteo Bocelli, soprano Francesca Maionchi, with Eugene

Kohn at the piano.

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.

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."

The concert 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 will be 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 elaborate 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."

Maestro Bocelli will go directly from AlUla, Saudi Arabia to Genoa, Italy to

record the opera Otello, by Giuseppe Verdi.

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is committed to preserve and develop

AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in North-West

Saudi Arabia. RCU's long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and

sensitive approach to urban and economic development, that preserves the area's

natural and historic heritage.

The world's most beloved tenor, Maestro Andrea Bocelli, gives a stunning

performance within the surrounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra in

AlUla. Please find the video clip available to download here:  

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11lrSFQHRbyI1eP84dFo_4QUPFcY4zZIR

Images - WeTransfer:  

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/7cb76063f899f1b06153020f5dd3b72220210408204008/d1c8acdad9435c9d3b78273157c0695820210408204106/633b75

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1484330/AlUla_Saudi_Arabia_Bocelli.jpg

Source: The Royal Commission For AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia