WASHINGTON—A disappointment with a bright side: Opera singer Christopher Macchio will perform the national anthem at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in front of a far smaller audience than he had anticipated.
Temperatures are expected to drop, making Monday the coldest Inauguration Day in 40 years, therefore the ceremony has been moved indoors. Over 250,000 people purchased tickets to watch the inauguration from various locations around the Capitol grounds, although the Capitol Rotunda can only accommodate 600 people.
I anticipated that 100,000 people would be dispersed over the National Mall. Macchio, 46, stated in an interview with the Associated Press on Saturday. Even if I won’t be able to see that vision while I perform, it will still be an incredible honor.
According to him, it’s actually a good thing from a musical and vocal standpoint, and the performance will essentially stay the same. Vocalists find extreme weather to be uncomfortable and unhealthy.
About nine years ago, Macchio was asked to step in at the last minute for a New Year’s Eve celebration, which is how he first got into Trump’s orbit. Trump requested him to play at his 70th birthday celebration that evening since he was so popular. Their bond began when Macchio sang at Trump’s brother Robert’s White House funeral service in 2020.
Macchio also played at Trump’s event in Butler, Pennsylvania, in October, just months after an assassination attempt there, at the Republican National Convention in July, and at his Madison Square Garden rally near the election. Trump told Macchio, “I’ll see you at the inauguration,” following the Butler rally.
Macchio told the AP that he didn’t properly explain what that meant. However, a few weeks later, Macchio received a call from a Trump aide informing him that the tenor was the sole option to sing the national anthem.
At the inauguration of Joe Biden, Lady Gagas sung the anthem. At Barack Obama’s second swearing-in, Beyonc gave a performance. Jackie Evanchosang, star of America’s Got Talent, sang it during Trump’s first inauguration.
Macchio is aware that his lengthy affiliation with and backing of Trump has caused some people to hold unfavorable views. He does, however, hope that the music will be enjoyed by individuals who do not share Trump’s political views.
He said, “I hope that they’ll give me that kind of opportunity to just listen and just really connect with the music for those people who might not have voted for President Trump.” The national anthem, which I will be performing, is intended to celebrate our wonderful nation.
Macchio is talking with the administration about how he may support classical music education in a more formal way since he wants to be an advocate.
He is currently focused on Monday, though, and has scheduled a rehearsal in the Capitol Rotunda this weekend with his colleagues singers, Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood.
He declared, “I’m a traditionalist.” What I’ll be doing is basically a simple performance. Furthermore, I only use licenses when it comes to high notes. I do have a tendency to extend those high notes and indulge a little.
