Capping off an intense week of multiple recording sessions inside the historic Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Andrea Bocelli and David Foster joined the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for a few hours this month.
"The Lord's Prayer," featuring Andrea Bocelli, the choir and orchestra, and David Foster at the organ will be part of a PBS Christmas special produced by WNET. After several takes, David Foster then switched to the piano to accompany both the choir and orchestra for "The Prayer," a song he personally composed, which will be featured in an upcoming choir and orchestra recording.
Between takes of the recording process, Bocelli sat down at the Tabernacle's famous pipe organ and gave an impromptu recital of "Ave Maria" while accompanying himself.
"It was beautiful; his sweet voice carried throughout the Tabernacle," said choir member Robb Cundick, who also said the unplanned performance was his favorite part of the afternoon.
After the conclusion of "The Lord's Prayer," Bocelli said he had enjoyed his day in Salt Lake as well as singing in the Tabernacle. He complimented the Tabernacle acoustics and said that the entire experience was very moving.
"For me it was a huge experience," Bocelli said. "The quality of the choir is very high. ... The orchestra also (is) very inspiring."
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sings with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, part of a Christmas performance that will be broadcast on PBS in December.
Andrea Bocelli performed "The Lord's Prayer" with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Andrea Bocelli gets a tour of the Tabernacle organ by Richard Elliott. The tenor accompanied himself and sang "Ave Maria" for the choir.
David Foster joined the Orchestra at Temple Square and the choir inside the Tabernacle.
Choir musical director, Mack Wilberg, and multiple Grammy award-winning composer David Foster chat between songs.