Panis angelicus

When you find yourself interpreting *Panis angelicus*, you are connecting with a piece that has deep roots in liturgical tradition. Originally, it is the penultimate stanza of a longer hymn, *Sacris solemniis*, written by Saint Thomas Aquinas for the celebration of Corpus Christi. What is fascinating is that this particular section, which begins with the words "Panis angelicus" —"bread of angels"—, has taken on a life of its own over time, being adapted musically independently.

The most well-known version of this stanza dates back to 1872, when César Franck composed it for tenor voice, harp, cello, and organ, integrating it into his *Messe à trois voix Opus 12*. This piece has been performed by a notable list of artists. For example, a 1932 performance by John McCormack in Dublin is considered a career highlight. Later, tenors such as Luciano Pavarotti and Plácido Domingo, as well as sopranos like Charlotte Church and Chloë Agnew (with Celtic Woman), have offered their own versions. It has even been part of significant moments, such as the funeral mass for Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, performed by Richard Tucker, and that for Senator Edward Kennedy in 2009, with Plácido Domingo. Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber included it in his album *Cello Moods* in 1998, and Italian singer Micheal Castaldo recorded an Italian version in 2010.

Andrea Bocelli, born in 1958, is an Italian tenor known for his ability to blend classical music with popular genres. Despite losing his sight at the age of twelve following an accident, his career took off after winning the "Newcomers" section of the Sanremo Music Festival in 1994. Since then, he has released numerous albums, both pop and classical, and has sold millions of records, establishing himself as one of the most successful solo artists in the field of classical music. His work has helped bring classical repertoire to international audiences and prominent space in popular culture.