Andrea Bocelli’s Easter concert draws praise and tears

Italian tenor sang 'Amazing Grace' outside the deserted Duomo cathedral

Kim Kardashian, Hugh Jackman and Kaley Cuoco are among the stars who have praised opera singer Andrea Bocelli’s moving Easter Sunday concert.

The Italian tenor performed a show at the deserted Duomo cathedral in Milan on Sunday night (12 April). While no one could attend the concert in person due to coronavirus restrictions, fans around the world were able to stream it live on YouTube.

Milan’s mayor Giuseppe Sala said he hoped the performance, which has been watched by more than 25 million people, would “be the embrace we are missing these days, a strong, special hug, capable of warming the heart of Milan, Italy and the world”.

Kardashian tweeted a link to the stream, with the caption: “A prayer for our world from @AndreaBocelli.”

Jackman, meanwhile, shared a picture of Bocelli singing and wrote: “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you @andreabocelliofficial. A tremendous gift and exactly what we needed. #amazinggrace #happyeaster.”

Cuoco, who was brought to tears by the performance, said on her Instagram story: “It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.”

Bocelli’s set included holy songs such as “Ave Maria” and “Sancta Maria”.

In Italy, where the concert took place, the death toll from coronavirus is over 19,000.