In Italy, Andrea Bocelli lived out the early days of the pandemic in a state of “worry and frustration” — not just for the harrowing health crisis but also for the social wounds of prolonged isolation. During this unprecedented pause in his career, he spent more time with his children. He listened to music. He tackled some items on his reading list.

But through it all, he still possessed an eagerness to perform — to create and share with others. So one month into the pandemic, on an unusually quiet Easter Sunday, Bocelli livestreamed a recital from an empty Duomo Cathedral in Milan. It generated more than 28 million views on YouTube in its first 24 hours and became the most-watched classical music concert on YouTube.