The upcoming coronation of King Charles III this weekend is set to be a momentous occasion for numerous reasons.
The first reason is because this event, which is slated to begin on May 6, would occur about 70 years after Queen Elizabeth II took the throne. Queen Elizabeth II ruled over the United Kindom and several other countries from 1953 to 2022 following her tragic passing last September.
Another factor contributing to the coronation anticipation stems from the high-profile guests slated to attend and perform at the affair. News outlets report that over 2,200 people will take part in the event, including Sandra Oh, Jill Biden, and David and Victoria Beckham, among others.
The artists performing at King Charles’ coronation
According to BBC News, the list of performers for the coronation concert, set to take place the next day on May 7 at Windsor Castle, will feature Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger, Tiwa Savage, Sir Bryn Terfel, Freya Ridings, Alexis Ffrench, and pop British group Take That.
The publication also states that the artists will perform alongside a 70-piece orchestra and a house band. In addition to the listed acts, the Coronation Choir is scheduled to take the stage. In a statement released to BBC, the chief content officer Charlotte Moore disclosed that the Coronation Choir comprises “the nation’s keenest community choirs and amateur singers from across the United Kingdom.”
Some of the stars’ responses to performing at King Charles’ coronation
As the list of performers was released to the general public last month, many publicly expressed how much this opportunity meant to them. Pussycat Dolls singer and The Masked Singer judge Nicole Scherzinger told Variety that she is honored to be asked to sing with Chinese pianist Lang Lang. She said,
“I am incredibly honored to be a part of such a historic event. The U.K. has been my home away from home for many years now, so this means so much to me to be lending my voice through the gift of song. The piece I will be singing is such a powerful, moving song. And to be sharing the stage with Lang Lang will be a dream come true; a once-in-a-lifetime performance.”
Opera singer Andrea Bocelli recalled the joyous moments he had experienced singing for Queen Elizabeth II and how he can’t wait to perform with his friend Sir Bryn Terfel this weekend at King Charles III’s coronation. The 64-year-old stated while mentioning that the overall goal of his collaborative performance with Sir Bryn Terfel is to sing “an iconic song of love and collective solidarity,”
“I have had the great honour of singing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on several occasions. It is now another great honour to be asked to perform at the Coronation Concert of King Charles III. My joy and excitement is multiplied as I have the chance to duet with my dear friend and superb baritone, Sir Bryn Terfel, performing an iconic song of love and collective solidarity.”
As for Lionel Richie, the 73-year-old called the opportunity a “once-in-a-lifetime event” and disclosed that he was happy he is to share the stage with the other performers. While Richie’s American Idol co-star Katy Perry, an ambassador of King Charles III’s charity, The British Asian Trust, is using this moment to bring awareness to the organization and child trafficking. She said,
“I am excited to be performing at the Coronation Concert, and helping to shine a further light on the British Asian Trust’s Children’s Protection Fund, whose work includes on-ground initiatives to fundraising, with the aim to find solutions to child trafficking.”
King Charles III’s coronation will take place on May 6, and will be televised on various stations. The coronation concert, on the other hand, will be broadcasted on BBC One and the company’s other networks on May 7.
