Opera tenor Christopher Macchio is set to perform the national anthem at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, although he will do so in front of a significantly smaller audience than he had anticipated. The ceremony, which is scheduled for Monday, has been shifted indoors due to extremely low temperatures, making this inauguration the coldest in 40 years. The Capitol Rotunda can only accommodate 600 attendees, whereas over 250,000 guests had initially been expected to gather around the Capitol grounds for the event.
Macchio, 46, expressed his disappointment at the loss of the larger crowd during a recent interview. “I was looking forward to seeing 100,000 people spread across the National Mall,” he remarked. “Unfortunately, I won’t be getting that visual while I perform, but it’s still going to be such a tremendous honor.” He noted that from a musical standpoint, performing indoors could actually be advantageous, as extreme weather conditions can be detrimental to vocal performances.
The tenor’s relationship with Trump began approximately nine years ago when he was invited to substitute for a performer at a New Year’s Eve event. His captivating performance that evening led to an invitation from singer Rod Stewart to entertain at his 70th birthday celebration. Additionally, Macchio provided musical tribute during a 2020 White House memorial service for Trump’s late brother, Robert, further cementing their bond.
Throughout his association with Trump, Macchio has performed at various significant events, including the Republican National Convention, Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and Madison Square Garden in the lead-up to the election. After the Butler rally, Trump indicated to Macchio, “I’ll be seeing you at the inauguration,” although the tenor wasn’t sure what that entailed until he received a phone call stating he was the “first and only choice” to sing the national anthem.
Unlike past inaugurations where other prominent artists like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé performed the anthem, Macchio recognizes that his connection to Trump may not sit well with everyone. However, he hopes that listeners will appreciate his music regardless of their political views. “For those folks who might not have voted for President Trump, I hope that they’ll give me that kind of opportunity to just listen and really connect with the music,” he stated. “I’ll be doing the national anthem and it is meant to honor our great country.”
Macchio has ambitions beyond this performance, aiming to support classical music education and engaging with the new administration about potential initiatives in this area. As he prepares for the inauguration, he plans to meet and rehearse with fellow performers Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood within the Capitol Rotunda this weekend.
Remaining true to tradition, Macchio intends to deliver a straightforward rendition of the anthem, making only slight alterations when it comes to the high notes, where he admits to “indulging” a bit more creatively.
This story has been updated to clarify that Macchio performed at Rod Stewart’s 70th birthday celebration rather than at Trump’s event.
