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Calm Classics with Ritula Shah 10pm - 1am
30 April 2020, 16:42
From balcony solos and isolation waltzes, to massed virtual choir performances, classical music has been here for us when we needed it most.
Whether it’s a soothing melody, a humorous parody or a sneak peak at some of our favourite artists’ living rooms, there’s no doubt the classical music world has been providing us all with a much-needed sense of relief during the coronavirus pandemic.
We’ve seen some pretty wonderful displays of musicianship over the past few weeks – here are just some of the highlights...
Watch as Andrea Bocelli sings in Milan's empty Duomo cathedral
The Italian tenor sang at the historic landmark without an audience, in a special online concert for Easter Sunday.
A spontaneous balcony duet from two self-isolating musicians, against the backdrop of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia.
Every once in a while, who doesn’t love dressing up with the kids for a string quartet?
Woman sings 'Vissi d'arte' from Puccini's Tosca with 3 curious alpacas
People just love to sing with their pets – and as far as this performance goes, it’s *alpacappella*...
Coronavirus, 'Nessun Dorma' canto di speranza: un coro di 700 bambini esegue l'aria di Puccini
Hundreds of young European singers sing Puccini’s great aria of hope, in this spectacular massed virtual choir.
Alfie Boe joins musical theatre supergroup for song in appreciation of NHS
With a heartfelt message to “Stay at home and support the NHS so they can bring your loved ones home”, West End tenor and actor, Alfie Boe, was joined by special guests to perform the Les Misérables classic, ‘Bring Him Home’, in a touching tribute.
Critical care nurse plays the piano and sings “we will rise up”
With thousands of NHS staff working around the clock to protect our loved ones, coronavirus critical care nurse, Hannah, sings a poignant cover of Andra Day’s ‘Rise Up’ to her colleagues at Royal Papworth Hospital Charity in Cambridge.
Le Boléro de Ravel par l'Orchestre national de France en #confinement #ensembleàlamaison
Orchestras have been finding new and creative ways of sharing their art – and this French ensemble hopes that Ravel’s soothing music will help bring “warmth and comfort” to those in lockdown.
Vicar plays trumpet at top of church tower to raise smiles in uncertain times
Because who doesn’t love a brass solo high above the rooftops?
Listen to Katherine Jenkins and Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ duet in aid of NHS
Famed wartime singer Dame Vera Lynn and Welsh mezzo-soprano, Katherine Jenkins, have teamed up to perform a heartwarming duet of ‘We’ll Meet Again’, to raise money for the UK’s healthcare workers and volunteers.
Maxim Vengerov | Exclusive At-Home Concert | Classic FM Session
Classic FM’s Artist in Residence, violinist Maxim Vengerov, performed an exclusive living room concert, live from Russia, featuring chamber works by Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Schubert.
Sometimes it’s just not possible to cram in practising the flute AND exercising during lockdown, so this musician is doing both at the same time.
Stelios Kerasidis plays ‘Isolation Waltz’
The young Greek composer, Stelios Kerasidis, dedicated his hypnotic new piano piece “for people who suffer and isolate because of COVID-19”.
Cardiff Neighbours #SocialDistancing @ICOrchestra @ChambOrchEurope @BBCNOW @WNOtweet @RoyalAcadMusic @RWCMD @nyaw_ccic #PlayForOurNHSHeroes #OverTheRainbowNHS pic.twitter.com/d0bTDWXwPC
— Robert Plane (@robertplane) April 9, 2020
Lockdown hasn’t stopped these professional musicians in Cardiff from doing what they love most.
British Neighborhood Sings 'Happy Birthday' To Young Girl During Lockdown
When a young girl in Southampton turned eight during lockdown but couldn’t leave her house to celebrate, her entire neighbourhood joined forces for an extra special rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’.
Andrea & Matteo Bocelli- Fall On Me
This beautiful ‘Fall On Me’ duet from tenor Andrea Bocelli and his son, Matteo, was recorded live from their living room in Italy – and it’s just the kind of uplifting content we all need.
Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Lady Gaga, Lang Lang, John Legend perform "The Prayer" | OW:TAH
Andrea Bocelli has been pretty busy during the pandemic – this time he appeared with piano virtuoso Lang Lang, pop-soul singer John Legend, and pop icons Lady Gaga and Celine Dion in a powerful virtual rendition of ‘The Prayer’.
Handel's Acis and Galatea (The Royal Opera/The Royal Ballet) #StayAtHome #OurHouseToYourHouse
Live-streamed via Facebook and the #OurHouseToYourHouse playlist on YouTube, online performances are including appearances from some of the industry’s most talented ballet dancers and opera singers – and they’re all completely free.
Andrew Lloyd Webber introduces The Show Must Go On
Musicals legend Andrew Lloyd Webber is serving up a free stream of one of his productions every week, which are available to watch for 48 hours, every Friday at 7pm, on the YouTube channel, The Show Must Go On.
Renée Fleming names the most loved soprano arias of all time
The ‘Nightly Met Opera Streams’ can be found at metopera.org, with each remaining available for 23 hours. On 25 April, singers gathered online for the spectacular ‘At-Home Gala’, with a stellar line-up featuring Renée Fleming, Sir Bryn Terfel and Jamie Barton. Other performances have included Bizet’s Carmen and Puccini’s La Bohème.
OPERA SINGER IN QUARANTINE . . 🔥TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theoperaguy 🔥Insta:...
Posted by Matthew Ciuffitelli on Wednesday, 15 April 2020
When stuck in lockdown, this operatic baritone spends his time recording perfect parodies of Rossini’s ‘Figaro’ aria, complete with coronavirus-inspired lyrics. We stan.
With many music teachers taking their lessons to the Internet, this one decided to share her top tips through a song on the social media app TikTok – but things quickly take an unexpected turn...
Coronavirus Rhapsody
Phoenix Chamber Choir have put a witty spin on the lyrics to one of Queen’s most iconic rock songs to encourage people to keep their hands squeaky clean – and it’s just perfect.