(Image Source: Facebook / Andrea Bocelli)

Famed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli had harsh words for the Italian government last Monday, saying that he was “humiliated and offended” by the coronavirus lockdown.

“I could not leave the house even though I had committed no crime,” Bocelli stated. Tenor further explained that he had disobeyed the lockdown rules and believed that the severity of the pandemic had been overblown.

The celebrated singer also stated that he did not believe it was healthy for a person of his age to stay at home for such a long period of time. Bocelli also encouraged others to break the mask-wearing and social distancing rules imposed by the Italian government, saying: “Let’s refuse to follow this rule. Let’s read books, move around, get to know each other, talk, dialogue.”

Bocelli later claimed that his remarks were “misunderstood,” adding that his foundation has helped many people that got sick with COVID-19.

Italy was the first European country to go into the strict COVID-19 lockdown in March after initial mild measures failed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. As a result of a huge COVID-19 wave that engulfed the country, more than 35,000 people have died, according to the official data. The Italian health system was greatly shattered by a large influx of seriously sick patients.

The tenor had become a symbol of national unity after performing in an empty Cathedral in Milan on Easter Sunday, in a live-streamed performance called “Music for Hope.” The more recent comments caused a strong outrage on social media in Italy.