At a concert not soon to be forgotten, the world’s most beloved tenor Andrea Bocelli took the stage at Maraya in the ancient desert city of AlUla on Friday and stole the hearts with a super show. The performance marks the maestro’s fourth at the home of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra and at the Kingdom’s first music and cultural festival, Winter at Tantora. Bocelli was joined on stage by Italy’s finest musicians of Asti Symphony Orchestra and sopranos Christine Allado, Serena Gambero and Clara Barbier Serrano. The ensemble delighted and enchanted a packed auditorium and millions of viewers who watched on MBC1 TV channel and online on AlUla Moments and MBC1 YouTube accounts. During the concert, Bocelli performed many of his best-known songs including Time to Say Goodbye, Con te Partiro and an emotional tribute to wife Veronica Berti, Can’t Help Falling in Love. On his remarkable fourth visit to AlUla, Bocelli said: “It is always an incredible experience to sing in the middle of the desert in AlUla. “Coming from the noise and chaos of the big city, it is an educational experience for me and to find myself in this idyllic and peaceful place away from the world — one of my favourite experiences.” The crowd delighted in the performance of Andrea Griminelli, one of the world’s best flute players, who joined the Maestro Bocelli for a mesmerizing duet which left the audience in tears. Allado, a renowned international talent making a name for herself as a multi-talented artist on screen and stage, poured her heart out to the appreciative crowd with her solo version of Never Enough. Bocelli was also joined on the Maraya’s stage by conductor, Maestro Carlo Bernini. Bocelli’s friend and artistic director, Bernini, has joined Maestro Bocelli at concerts halls and stadium performances all around the world. Winter at Tantora festival is considered the very first music and arts festival in the Kingdom. Taking place Dec. 21- Feb. 12, the festival is one of four festivals under the banner of AlUla Moments, with AlUla Arts, AlUla Skies and AlUla Wellness still to come in February and March. More international names are set to be announced soon to perform at the iconic mirrored Maraya in the ancient desert city of AlUlla. — SG