Who is Christopher Macchio, the Opera Tenor at the Inauguration?

Washington: So, Christopher Macchio is the opera tenor set to sing the national anthem at Donald Trump’s inauguration. He was really looking forward to a huge crowd, but the weather has other plans. It’s going to be super cold, making this the coldest inauguration in 40 years. Because of that, the ceremony is moving indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, which only holds about 600 people.

Macchio, who’s 46, shared that he was excited to see a sea of 100,000 people on the National Mall. But he’s still thrilled about the honor of performing. He mentioned that singing indoors is actually better for his voice, especially in such extreme weather.

His connection with Trump goes back about nine years. He filled in last minute for a New Year’s Eve gig and made quite the impression. Rod Stewart even asked him to sing at his birthday party after that! Macchio has performed at various Trump events, including the Republican National Convention and a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

After one of those rallies, Trump told him he’d see him at the inauguration, and a few weeks later, Macchio got the call that he was the top choice for the anthem.

He knows some folks might not be fans of Trump, but he hopes they can appreciate the music. Macchio wants everyone to connect with the anthem, which is all about honoring the country. He’s also looking to promote classical music education and is chatting with the administration about how he can help.

For now, he’s gearing up for the big day and plans to rehearse with fellow performers like Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood. He describes himself as a traditionalist and plans to deliver a straightforward rendition of the anthem, with a little flair on the high notes.