Opera singer performs at July 4 event after White House arranges stage access

An opera singer performed at the National Mall on July 4 after officials arranged for the show to proceed despite heavy rain that had already canceled other scheduled acts. The singer performed "Ave Maria" and "Nessun Dorma" for an estimated 150,000 people. He also led the crowd in "God Bless America."

He said the White House contacted him directly and stated a team was in place to ensure he reached the stage. The president called the singer the next day to express thanks for the performance.

Personal background The singer became engaged days before the event while on a yacht off the Amalfi Coast. He had performed privately for FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the World Cup earlier that month. The singer described the two weeks surrounding the concert as the best of his life.