Andrea Bocelli lit up the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 as one of Italy’s most recognisable cultural figures to frame the Games’ first moments on Friday (6 February) at the Milano San Siro Stadium.

The star tenor performed Giacomo Puccini’s Nessun dorma and earned thunderous applause for his powerful rendition.

Bocelli is not just one of Italy’s iconic figures, he’s one of few artistes whose career has bridged classical tradition and global popular culture.

The 67-year old took once again take centre stage at a ceremony built around the theme of harmony, performing a selection of his best-known songs, including Time to Say Goodbye, The Prayer and Because We Believe.

It was the second time the acclaimed tenor has performed at a Winter Olympics, following his appearance at Turin 2006.

This return, however, carries more significance. Milano is the city where, at the height of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Bocelli stood alone inside the Duomo to deliver a livestreamed Easter performance titled Music for Hope.

Broadcast to a world in isolation, the concert became one of the pandemic’s most enduring cultural images, offering a moment of love, healing and hope to Italy and the world in a time of difficulty.