He might have won the US Presidential election, but Donald Trump has reportedly had trouble finding performers for his inauguration. However, one name has now been confirmed: soprano Jackie Evancho has signed up to sing the national anthem.
Evancho came to fame through TV talent show America’s Got Talent, and sang for President Obama at the National Christmas Tree Lighting in 2010. She told NBC she was ‘so excited’ and that it would be a ‘great honour’ to perform for the office of the President.
Another singer reportedly in talks to appear is tenor Andrea Bocelli, one of the biggest-selling artists in the whole of classical music. Bocelli has performed concerts for Trump’s three predecessors.
The inauguration is traditionally interspersed with musical performances. Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration featured singer Aretha Franklin, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and clarinettist Anthony McGill, while Beyoncé sang the national anthem at the 2013 event.