(5 February 2016) A long standing ovation welcomed yesterday the exhibition of Andrea Bocelli in Washington, for the 64th National Prayer Breakfast, an annual event sponsored by the US Senate and the House of Representatives Prayer Group. The most influential politicians in the world, including US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, rose to their feet to applaud the Italian tenor. Bocelli, hailed by Obama himself with the words “Thank you Andrea for sharing your precious gift”, was accompanied on stage by his wife, Veronica Berti, and performed at the opening and closing of the event by singing “Panis Angelicus” and “Amazing Grace “(with Eugene Kohn on piano). Bocelli was present not only as an artist, but also for his role as public figure constantly active in the field of solidarity. For the first time in the history of the National Prayer Breakfast, the tenor received a second invitation to intervene and pray together (in the 2013 Prayer, he performed a brief but powerful speech that captured the audience). Once again, Bocelli delivered a very heartfelt speech. (Red)
