As Italy’s nationwide coronavirus lockdown continues, the country turns to one of the things it does best, sharing music.
The streets, concert hall and opera houses are deserted, but in Italy, you can still hear the music.
The country’s government imposed unprecedented restrictions on its 60 million people to control the spread of coronavirus. Quarantined in their own homes and balconies, many are using music to connect with the outside world, and show love and support to their neighbors.
Tenor Maurizio Marchini did just this, taking to his balcony to serenade the rooftops of his hometown, Florence.
In one online video Marchini sings Puccini’s impassioned aria from his opera ‘None shall sleep’. After the aria’s climax with a high B, Maurizio picks up his son and repeats the line Vincerò!, or ‘I will be victorious.’
In another video that was shared widely on social media in the past few days, quarantined Italian neighbors sang a traditional song ‘Canto della Verbena’, together across the streets.
The pandemic has forced the closure of Milan’s iconic Teatro alla Scala and has affected performances and tours worldwide. Yet, in an uncertain world, these videos on social media show the abiding power of music to bring people together in solidarity and comfort. And long may that continue.