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Andrea Boccelli Will Sing At Barclays Center Instead Of MSG
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 2, 2011
Modified Dec 2, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 2, 2011
Modified Dec 2, 2011
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Following in the footsteps of Jay-Z, famous Italian tenor Andrea Boccelli will sing at the Barclays Center next year. And the Post notes it's quite the coup for the under-construction arena, since Boccelli had been performing his annual holiday show at Madison Square Garden. Bocelli said in a statement, "It’s always a pleasure for me to play in New York, but I’m particularly excited to perform in Brooklyn for what will be my only 2012 performance in the city that has given me such affection."
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz supplied an enthusiastic quote, "Look out Manhattan! Not only will the Brooklyn Nets wipe the floor with your Knicks, but the Barclays Center is going to give MSG, or as we call it in Brooklyn, ‘Manhattan Square Garden,’ a real run for its money." But MSG said, "While we always respect any competition, the Garden will always be the Garden. The Garden hosts over 400 events annually and has been a destination for New Yorkers and visitors to the city for over 130 years."
The Barclays Center hopes to have 220 events in its first year—so far 174 have been booked (and they are going after boxer Wladimir Klitschko to fight there). Unfortunately, the Atlantic Yards complex will look like this, which will require Boccelli's soothing singing to calm people down.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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