Andrea Bocelli 36, delivered a deeply emotional tribute to Luciano Pavarotti with E lucevan le stelle during the UNHCR charity concert in Petra, Jordan.

Broadcast globally, the performance honored the legacy of the late tenor with heartfelt passion and dramatic depth.

Bocelli’s voice, rich and resonant, blended with darker, stirring strings, capturing the aria’s sorrow and beauty.

Despite criticism, this moment stood as a powerful reminder: Bocelli wasn’t imitating Pavarotti — he was honoring him, in his own voice, with sincerity. A true tribute, not imitation.

On 12 October 2008, in the ancient city of Petra (Jordan), Andrea Bocelli performed the aria E lucevan le stelle from the opera Tosca at the Luciano Pavarotti Memorial Concert.

The concert was organized under the patronage of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan, to raise funds for Afghan refugees through projects of the UNHCR and WFP. ​

Bocelli, then 36 years old, gave an emotional performance, his voice echoing against the majestic scenery of Petra.

The combination of his voice and the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Eugene Kohn created a profound and moving performance.​

The concert also featured other renowned artists such as José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Sting, Laura Pausini and Zucchero, all of whom came together to celebrate Pavarotti’s musical and humanitarian legacy. The event was more than just a musical performance; it was also a reminder of the power of art to connect people and support those in need. ​

The concert was filmed and released on DVD under the title Tribute to Pavarotti – One Amazing Weekend in Petra, giving audiences around the world the chance to relive this memorable moment. ​
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You can watch Andrea Bocelli’s performance here: