Andrea Bocelli delivers powerful Easter performance in Milan

It was an Easter to remember in Italy this year when Andrea Bocelli delivered a powerful performance to an empty audience at Milan’s iconic Duomo cathedral.

The performance was livestreamed on his YouTube channel and offered an uplifting message of love healing and hope amid these uncertain times.

Bocelli, who was accompanied only by the cathedral organist, Emanuele Vianelli, first sang a few songs from “Ave Maria” to “Domine Deus” from the altar inside the cathedral.

Then, he closed his performance singing “Amazing Grace” outside on the cathedral steps, with the video showing images of empty streets from other cities such as Paris, London and New York.

Within just six hours of the livestream, Bocelli’s performance received more than 19 million views on YouTube.

“I will cherish the emotion of this unprecedented and profound experience of this Holy Easter, which this emergency has made painful, but at the same time more fruitful, one that will stay among my dearest memories of all time,” said Bocelli in a statement of the event. “That feeling of being at the same time alone -- as we all are in the presence of the Most High -- yet of expressing the voice of the prayer of millions of voices, has deeply impressed and moved me.”

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Bocelli -- along with his foundation -- has started a fundraiser to help hospitals purchase equipment for their medical staff.