Europe



A pianist who captured the hearts of millions by performing John Lennon’s Imagine outside the Paris theatre where at least 89 people were killed has returned to the capital for another impromptu set.

An unnamed man brings his portable grand piano and plays John Lennon's Imagine by the Bataclan, Paris, one of the venues for the attacks in the French capital which are feared to have killed around 120 people.

An unnamed man brings his portable grand piano and plays John Lennon’s Imagine by the Bataclan, Paris, one of the venues for the attacks in the French capital which are feared to have killed around 120 people. Image by John Walton/PA Wire

The mysterious musician, who was identified on social media as Davide Martello from Germany, first performed for mourners outside the Bataclan theatre on Saturday. He had been watching the France-Germany match at the Staide de France on television when the explosions occurred. He decided within minutes to load his grand piano onto a trailer and drive 400 miles from  Konstanz in Germany to Paris.

His poignant instrumental was captured on camera phones and beamed around the world as a sign of hope, hours after the city was waking from the horrors of the terror attacks.

And mourners attending Place de la Republique – the unofficial focal point for tributes to Friday’s victims – were stunned when the musician again began performing today.

His repertoire included Beatles hits Yesterday and Hey Jude, before launching into another rendition of Imagine.

Several people in the huge crowd which gathered around the pianist provided vocal accompaniment, while others held lighters aloft as the sun set on the square.

Watch the video of his first performance here

Read more:

Major Paris landmarks to reopen today after Friday’s terror attacks

Families across the world mourn victims of Paris terror attacks

Solidarity: world’s most famous buildings light up in French colours

In pictures: people all over the world stand with Paris

How the night of terror in Paris unfolded

Disneyland Paris closed today after Paris massacre

A look at the targets of the Paris terror attacks

Emergency contact numbers for Paris attacks

The world shows support for France on social media

U2 cancel Paris concert, Eagles of Death Metal safe