Bocelli in Jordan, a song for peace

(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).