With restaurants closed for takeout only, the usual bustling North End is quiet. But for a couple hours on Saturday, there was a concerted effort to bring it back to its Italian roots.

People strolling around the North End Saturday afternoon were brought to a standstill, captivated by professional operatic voices, like tenor Fred Van Ness. For two hours, opera singers with the North End Music and Performing Arts Center held a balcony performance.