(ANSAmed) - JERASH (JORDAN), SEPTEMBER 19 - Andrea Bocelli
enchanted the audience Monday evening in Jerash, in Jordan, with
a song and a prayer for peace.
The Italian singer brought his voice to the extraordinary
Roman-Hellenic archaeological site known as the Pompeii of the
East, or the city of a thousand columns, with an exceptional
artistic and symbolic event in a peaceful country that is,
however, surrounded by crises and devastating wars.
The performance was preceded by a rite of great value for the
tenor, who has always been driven by a deep religious faith.
Bocelli prayed at the Jordan River, at Al Maghtas, the site
where, according to scripture, Jesus was baptised.
The singer engaged in a prayer "for peace", as he himself
said, together with Monsignor Mauro Lulli, charge d'affaires for
the Nunciature of Jordan, who poured water over the singer's
head.
"This place is the root of my faith, that's why it's a
special place. I'm very happy to be here, I prayed for peace in
the world," Bocelli said.
Bocelli's concert in one of Jordan's treasured sites,
organised by the Friends of Jordan Festival, was an event with
which the Middle Eastern country wishes to highlight its
openness to the world and its capacity for being safe and
welcoming to high-level international art and culture.
With the Temple of Zeus at his back, in the oval Forum
outlined by Roman columns, the tenor - in form despite his
recent fall while horseback riding - delighted the audience with
some of the most celebrated arias.
Accompanied by conductor Carlo Bernini, Bocelli sang arias
including "La donna è mobile" and "Di quella pira" as well as a
triumphant "Libiamo ne' lieti calici".
He was also accompanied by soprano Dima Bawab (a Jordanian
artist who said Bocelli himself is the origin of her passion for
opera), Elisa Balbo and Ilaria della Bidia, and guitar duo
Carisma from the Jordanian National Music Conservatory
Orchestra.
The second part of the show, which opened with Granada, is,
as always, dedicated to the most popular folk songs dear to the
international public, from "Cheek to cheek" and "Funiculí
funiculà", to "Voglio vivere così" and "Canto della terra".
For the grand finale, Bocelli sang "Partirò" and "Nessun
dorma" while wearing a traditional Arab keffiyeh around his
neck.(ANSAmed).
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