The Italian tenor debuted a new version of “Time to Say Goodbye” during the ceremony’s “In Memoriam” segment.

Andrea Bocelli last performed at the Oscars exactly 25 years ago.

At the 2024 Oscars, Hollywood celebrated the contributions of the people behind some of the most memorable movies of the season. As is tradition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also took time during the annual ceremony to honor many individuals who the industry lost this year.

During the “In Memoriam” segment held at the Academy Awards on March 10, viewers in person and at home watched a moving performance lauding actors, writers, producers and more who passed away in the last year. As pictures and names like Matthew Perry, Chita Rivera and Tina Turner played across the screen, interpretive dancers performed a routine to a full orchestra playing music that reflected the mood of the moment.

Fans were surprised to see Andrea Bocelli take the stage to perform an updated version of his famous song, “Time to Say Goodbye (Con te partirò)”. Andrea was joined by his son, Matteo for the stunning duet. The father-son duo wore matching blue patterned jackets and pulled on the audience’s heartstrings with the emotional tribute.

After the moment occurred at the Oscars, folks online couldn’t get over how beautiful Andrea and Matteo’s performance was.

“Andrea Bocelli’s performance with his son at the 96th Oscars was a heartwarming display of talent and connection. Music truly has the power to create unforgettable moments,” one person wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo singing ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ was just beautiful,” another remarked. “Andrea Bocelli and his son. Wow that made me bawl. So beautiful and special,” a different viewer declared.

The last time Andrea sang at the Oscars was 25 years ago at the 1999 ceremony. He joined Céline Dion to sing their song “The Prayer,” which was nominated for Best Original Song for the film Quest for Camelot. This time around, though, he and Matteo teamed up to re-release “Time to Say Goodbye” to celebrate the song’s 30th anniversary. The two also released a music video for their rendition, produced by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.

As for how Andrea felt about performing with Matteo, he told A.frame how appreciative he was for the special opportunity.

“I’m in a different season of my life now — an interesting season of mature age that is not without its surprises, although the positive ones are a bit fewer than the negative,” he told the digital magazine of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “My enthusiasm, however, and the will to woo beauty through art, which is an extraordinary gift from the heavens — the need to transmit positive emotions, giving a bit of serenity to those listening — are the same feelings I had back then.”

“Even more so now, considering that I have returned to this spectacular night of the Oscars with someone the most dear to me: My son,” continued the singer. “My voice will convey all the affection and gratitude I feel — both for the song (and for those who love or loved it), and for life (and for He who created it).”

“Céline was outstanding,” he says. “Our duet had a chemistry that one rarely finds throughout an entire career.”

During Sunday’s 96th Oscars, Bocelli returned to the Oscars stage to deliver this year’s In Memoriam performance, as the Academy paid tribute to the likes of Alan Arkin, Harry Belafonte, William Friedkin, Tina Turner, and more late artists and filmmakers who made an indelible impact on the world of cinema.

“I’m in a different season of my life now — an interesting season of mature age that is not without its surprises, although the positive ones are a bit fewer than the negative,” Bocelli says. “My enthusiasm, however, and the will to woo beauty through art, which is an extraordinary gift from the heavens — the need to transmit positive emotions, giving a bit of serenity to those listening — are the same feelings I had back then.”

“Even more so now, considering that I have returned to this spectacular night of the Oscars with someone the most dear to me: My son,” adds the singer. “My voice will convey all the affection and gratitude I feel — both for the song (and for those who love or loved it), and for life (and for He who created it).”

Bocelli was joined onstage by his son, Matteo Bocelli, for a duet of “Time to Say Goodbye.”

“Around the world, the Oscars is the crown jewel in terms of stages; being there is simply a dream come true!” Matteo Bocelli says. “I have already sung many times with my father, but the difference here lies in what we will be performing together. “Time to Say Goodbye” is not merely a song — it’s the national anthem of my family. It’s home. It’s the voice and music of my father. It is the theme song of hundreds, maybe thousands of memories from my childhood to adulthood… Besides being a great honor and responsibility, it is a professional milestone — possibly even one of life’s most defining moments.”

“Time to Say Goodbye” is a reinvention of Bocelli’s hit song, “Con te partirò.” This new version arrives 30 years after the original and not only serves as a duet between the father and son, but also a collaboration with two-time Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, who adapted the song with a new orchestration.

“It’s the song of my life; the pop piece that represents me the most throughout the world,” says the elder Bocelli. “To revisit it, with our fortunate collaboration with Hans Zimmer, and sing it together with Matteo — who, in the meantime, has become my colleague — is an exciting challenge and great gift. It is a new debut that I anticipate with the same passion I had back then, perhaps with a bit more wisdom but always with the strength of the public’s affection that has lasted so many years unchanged.”