Global opera star Bocelli has sold over 90 million records worldwide, received six Grammy Award nominations and won 6 Classical BRITs including the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award in 2002. Through the Andrea Bocelli Foundation he sponsors an annual scholarship programme at The Royal College of Music supporting students to overcome barriers and access world-class training.

You could feel the sense of expectation. It was really happening right here, on an altar full of candlelight, prayers and a glow of gold. The abbey was like being inside a jewel box. Asked what drew Americans to watch a British monarch ascend to the throne, Anderson said: “History, isn’t it?” Alongside the stars of the concert, the show will also see an exclusive appearance from The Coronation Choir. This diverse group will be created from the nation’s keenest community choirs and amateur singers from across the United Kingdom, such as the Portishead RNLI sea shanty choir, farmers, cab drivers and reggae choirs. The Coronation Choir will appear alongside The Virtual Choir, made up of singers from across the Commonwealth, for a special performance on the night. British pop group Take That, international superstar Lionel Richie, global pop icon Katy Perry, international opera star Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, singer/songwriter Freya Ridings and classical-soul composer/producer Alexis Ffrench are some of the artists who will grace the stage at The Coronation Concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Sunday 7th of May, the BBC has today confirmed. The centrepiece of the Coronation Concert, ‘Lighting up the Nation’, will see the country join together in celebration as iconic locations across the United Kingdom are lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

Andrea Bocelli and Sir Bryn Terfel

Ridings will perform a duet with classical composer, producer and pianist Alexis Ffrench. With over half a billion streams and close to 3 million monthly listeners, his ‘classical soul’ sound taps into musical influences spanning Bach and Debussy to Hollywood, gospel and beyond. Ffrench is a passionate advocate for music education and he serves as a Governor and Trustee of the Royal Academy of Music, as well as being the Artistic Director of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music - the first in its 133 year history. And where else would international royalty, world leaders and 100 overseas heads of state get an opportunity to meet Ant and Dec? The concert, produced by BBC Studios Productions, will be broadcast live from the grounds of Windsor Castle on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. It will feature a broad mix of music spanning pop to classical, along with spoken word and dance performances reflecting arts and culture from around the UK and the wider Commonwealth.

This was history in the making - and you had to pinch yourself to think you were seeing it close-up, inside Westminster Abbey. Tomorrow, neighbours and communities across the UK are being invited to share food and fun together as part of the Coronation Big Lunch.Ffrench said, “To have been invited to perform in the Coronation Concert held in celebration of His Majesty King Charles III is an honour of the utmost magnitude. Such moments are unequivocally iconic and exceedingly rare, and I am delighted to share the stage with the wonderfully talented Freya Ridings on this momentous occasion.” Freya Ridings is a singer / songwriter from North London who achieved international success in 2018/19 with her song ‘Lost without You’. Her debut album was streamed over a billion times globally. The recognition: While standing beside the 700-year-old Coronation Chair, the monarch is presented to those gathered in the Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The congregation shouts "God Save the King!" and trumpets sound Charles and Camilla were crowned as King and Queen in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey, which was attended by royals, political leaders and celebrities Over there was the battered but rather beautiful Coronation chair, with a King about to be crowned. It looked almost fragile waiting for its royal occupant.

They are part of an eclectic line-up of artists who will perform at the event celebrating the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen in front of 20,000 members of the public and invited guests, as well as millions watching and listening at home – on BBC One and BBC iPlayer as well as BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds - with further names due to be announced shortly.

Lionel Richie

The concert will see a world-class orchestra play a host of musical favourites and will also feature, for the first time ever, a joint performance from The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera House, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal College of Music and The Royal College of Art. We haven’t had the best history after that little war”, he joked, referring to the American Revolution, “but people still like the history. The theatre of it, the pomp and the circumstance.” Before 2,300 guests, King Charles and Queen Camilla went through the ancient rituals, with a twist of modern signals about diversity. Meanwhile, 52 people were arrested during the Coronation, including the leader of prominent anti-monarchy group Republic

Waiters rushed platters of tea, sandwiches and crumpets from the kitchen to customers seated outside, as TV screens broadcast the Coronation in full. Ridings said: “I feel truly overwhelmed and in awe of the opportunity to sing at the Coronation of His Majesty Charles III - it feels like a “pinch me” once in a life time moment in history and I’m feeling very honoured to have been asked. Excited to be playing with a wonderful orchestra and alongside the incredible Alexis Ffrench on piano!” We’re the go-to place where Brits come,” said manager Iain Anderson, 43, who oversaw the proceedings. “Americans love us too. Everybody comes.” Sir Bryn Terfel has established an extraordinary career, performing regularly on the prestigious concert stages and opera houses of the world. He is a Grammy, Classical BRIT and Gramophone Award winner with a discography encompassing operas of Mozart, Wagner and Strauss, and has more than fifteen solo discs including Lieder, American musical theatre, Welsh songs and sacred repertory. Thousands of people joined the celebrations in London, lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the new King and QueenTerfel was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to Opera in 2003, was awarded the Queen’s Medal for Music in 2006 and received a knighthood for his services to music in 2017. Bocelli said: “I have had the great honour of singing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on several occasions. It is now another great honour to be asked to perform at the Coronation Concert of King Charles III. My joy and excitement is multiplied as I have the chance to duet with my dear friend and superb baritone, Sir Bryn Terfel, performing an iconic song of love and collective solidarity.”