Andrea Bocelli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrea Bocelli OMRI OMDSM
Bocelli in 2019
Background information
Born	(1958-09-22) 22 September 1958 (age 66) Lajatico, Italy
Genres	Opera operatic pop Latin pop classical traditional pop
Occupation(s)	Singer (tenor)
Years active	1992−present
Labels	Polydor Decca Universal
Signature

Andrea Bocelli OMRI OMDSM (Italian: [anˈdrɛːa boˈtʃɛlli]; born 22 September 1958) is a famous Italian tenor singer. He became well-known in 1994 after winning the newcomers' section of the 44th Sanremo Music Festival. He performed the song "Il mare calmo della sera".

Since 1994, Bocelli has made many albums. He has recorded 15 solo studio albums of both pop and classical music. He also has three greatest hits albums and has sung in nine complete operas. He has sold over 90 million records around the world. He is very successful as a crossover artist. This means he brings classical music to the top of pop music charts internationally. His album Romanza is one of the best-selling albums of all time. His album Sacred Arias is the best-selling classical album by any solo artist ever. In 2019, his album Sì reached number one in the UK and US. This was his first number-one album in both countries. His song "Con te partirò" is one of the best-selling singles of all time.

In 1998, People magazine named Bocelli one of the 50 Most Beautiful People. He sang a duet with Celine Dion called "The Prayer". This song was for the animated movie Quest for Camelot. It won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. In 1999, he was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards. He even got into the Guinness Book of World Records for his classical album Sacred Arias. He held the top three spots on the US Classical Albums charts at the same time.

Bocelli was given a special award, Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, in 2006. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 2 March 2010. This was for his work in live theater. In 2022, he received a gold medal for Merit in Serbia. Singer Celine Dion once said that "if God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli." Record producer David Foster often says Bocelli's voice is the most beautiful in the world.

Early Life and Music Journey

Bocelli was born on 22 September 1958. He had poor eyesight from birth due to a condition called congenital glaucoma. He grew up on his family's farm in La Sterza, a small village in Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy. His family sold farm machinery and made wine there.

From a young age, Bocelli loved music. His mother said music was the only thing that made him feel better. He started piano lessons at age 6. Later, he learned to play the flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, and drums. His nanny gave him a record by Franco Corelli, and he became interested in becoming a tenor. By age 7, he could recognize and try to sing like famous singers.

At age 12, Bocelli completely lost his eyesight. This happened after he was hit in the eyes with a soccer ball. Doctors tried their best to save his sight, but it didn't work. He remained blind.

Bocelli also sang a lot when he was a child. He gave his first concert in a small village near his home. At age 14, he won his first singing competition. He sang "'O sole mio" at the Margherita d'Oro in Viareggio. He finished high school in 1980. Then, he studied law at the University of Pisa. To earn money, he sang in piano bars at night. There, he met his first wife, Enrica, in 1987. He finished law school and worked as a lawyer for one year.

Becoming a Star: Early Career (1992–1997)

In 1992, Italian rock star Zucchero was looking for tenors. He wanted someone to record a demo of his song "Miserere" to send to the famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti. Pavarotti heard Bocelli's tape and told Zucchero to use Bocelli instead. Zucchero eventually convinced Pavarotti to record the song with Bocelli. It became a big hit across Europe. In 1993, Bocelli joined Zucchero on his European tour. He sang the duet and also performed solo songs like "Nessun dorma". Bocelli signed with the Sugar Music label after Caterina Caselli heard him sing.

In December 1993, Bocelli entered the Sanremo Music Festival in the newcomers' section. He sang "Miserere" and won with the highest score ever in that category. In February 1994, he entered the main Sanremo Festival with "Il mare calmo della sera". He won the newcomers section again with a record score. After his win, his first album, also called Il mare calmo della sera, came out in April. It quickly became a top ten album in Italy.

In 1995, Bocelli returned to the Sanremo Festival. He sang "Con te partirò" and came in fourth place. This song was on his second album, Bocelli, released in November 1995. In Belgium, "Con te partirò" became the best-selling single ever.

His third album, Viaggio Italiano, was released in Italy in 1996. He was asked to sing a duet with English soprano Sarah Brightman. This was for the final boxing match of German boxer Henry Maske. Brightman heard Bocelli singing "Con te partirò" in a restaurant. They re-recorded the song as a duet, changing the title to "Time to Say Goodbye". It became a huge hit in Germany, staying at number one for fourteen weeks. It sold almost three million copies, becoming the best-selling single there.

Global Success and Opera Roles (1998–2005)

In 1998, Bocelli performed his first major opera role. He played Rodolfo in La bohème in Cagliari. His fifth album, Aria: The Opera Album, came out in March. On 19 April, Bocelli performed his first concert in the United States. This was at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The next day, he met US President Bill Clinton at the White House. In May, he won two World Music Awards in Monte Carlo.

From June to August, he toured North and South America. In September, he won another Echo Klassik award for Aria: The Opera Album. On Thanksgiving Eve, Bocelli was a guest on Céline Dion's TV special. They sang "The Prayer" together. This song won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1999. Bocelli and Dion also sang it at the Academy Awards.

In 1999, Bocelli toured North America. He sang for Bill Clinton at an event for the Democratic Party. He also toured Portugal and Spain, singing with Dulce Pontes. He performed in The Merry Widow at the Verona Arena. His seventh album, Sacred Arias, was released in November. It quickly reached number one on the US Classical Billboard charts. This made Bocelli the first singer to hold the top three spots on that chart. He also released his autobiography, La musica del silenzio.

In 2000, Bocelli was nominated for two Grammy Awards. He performed "The Prayer" with Dion at the ceremony. His "World Tour 2000" began in March. In July, he performed at the Statue of Liberty in New York City for a PBS special. This concert was dedicated to his father, who had passed away earlier that year. His seventh album, Verdi, was released in September. His first complete opera recording, La Bohème, came out in November.

In 2001, Bocelli performed in the opera L'amico Fritz. He also sang in Verdi's Requiem. In June, he performed at the re-opening of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In October, he released his new album Cieli di Toscana. He was recognized for selling over 40 million albums worldwide. He sang at Ground Zero in New York City for the victims of the September 11 attacks.

In 2002, Bocelli received a Goldene Kamera award. He also won two World Music Awards for "World best selling classical artist" and "Best selling Italian artist". He performed at a peace concert in Venice. In May, he received the 2002 Classical BRIT Award for "Outstanding Contribution to Music". He performed for US President George W. Bush and Italian President Silvio Berlusconi. In October, he released his album Sentimento, which sold over two million copies in 40 days.

In 2003, Bocelli produced music for young artists at the Sanremo Festival. His second complete opera, Tosca, was released. He received two 2003 Classical BRIT Awards for Sentimento. He performed at a benefit concert in Siena. He also sang with Pavarotti at "Pavarotti & Friends". In October, he won the "Favourite Specialist Performer" award at the UK National Music Awards. In December, he gave his first concert in China.

In 2004, he performed in the opera Werther. He toured Asia again. He also took part in a concert in Rome to launch the "We are the Future" project. His third complete opera Il trovatore was released. He performed in Tosca at the Puccini Festival. He also toured Australia and New Zealand, joined by soprano Hayley Westenra.

In 2005, Bocelli continued touring. He appeared on Sesame Street singing "Time to Say Goodnight". He performed at the Music for Asia benefit concert for the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. He performed at the Live 8 event in Paris. His first contemporary music concert was recorded for PBS as the Under the Desert Sky DVD.

Later Career and Collaborations (2006–Present)

Bocelli rehearsing for his Under the Desert Sky concert in Lake Las Vegas, 2006

In 2006, Bocelli sang at the closing ceremony of the Torino Olympics. He was honored by the Italian state with a special award. He performed a duet with American singer Christina Aguilera at the Sanremo Festival. He was a guest coach on American Idol. He sang the Italian duet "Ama, credi e vai" with Gianna Nannini at the opening of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

In 2007, Bocelli performed at the Concert for Diana in London. He held a concert at the Teatro del Silenzio in his hometown, Lajatico. This concert was later released as Vivere Live in Tuscany. He also sang at the funeral of Luciano Pavarotti. His album Vivere sold over 3 million copies.

Bocelli with his then fiancée Veronica Berti in Tokyo, Japan, during his 2008 Asian Tour

In 2008, Bocelli received an Italian TV award. He performed "The Prayer" with Josh Groban at the 50th Grammy Awards as a tribute to Pavarotti. He toured Asia. He sang at a charity concert for children. He played the role of Don José in Georges Bizet's opera Carmen in Rome. He held his third concert at the Teatro del Silenzio. He toured Australia and New Zealand with Tina Arena. His album Incanto was released.

Bocelli performing at the Premio Faraglioni 2009

In 2009, Bocelli sang at the opening ceremony of the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final. In November, My Christmas, his first Christmas album, was released. It became the best-selling Holiday album of the year. He performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Bocelli receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 2010

In 2010, Bocelli, Mary J. Blige, and David Foster sang "Bridge over Troubled Water" at the 52nd Grammy Awards for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. On 2 March, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He performed at the opening ceremony of the Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China. He also toured Asia. He received his seventh World Music Award for "Best Classical Artist". He performed at the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He held the fifth Teatro del Silenzio concert. He gave concerts in Cairo, Egypt, and at the Milan Cathedral.

In 2011, Bocelli toured Germany and performed at the Metropolitan Opera house. He gave concerts in Latin America and Asia. He held two open-air concerts at historic sites in Israel and Sicily for charity. He gave a free concert on the Great Lawn of Central Park in New York City. This concert was broadcast on PBS.

Andrea Bocelli and Song Zuying performing Time to Say Goodbye at the East Meets West concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, June 2012

In 2012, Bocelli played Romeo in the opera Roméo et Juliette. He performed for Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Albert Hall. A new album, Passione, with duets with Jennifer Lopez and Nelly Furtado, was released in 2013. He performed for President Barack Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast. He also performed with Plácido Domingo at the Arena di Verona.

Bocelli and his son Matteo performing in New York at the presentation of the album Sì in 2018

In 2015, Bocelli released his album Cinema. It features songs from classic movies. He sang with Ariana Grande and Nicole Scherzinger. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 2016, he performed at King Power Stadium for Leicester City's football title celebration. In 2017, Ed Sheeran released "Perfect Symphony", a duet with Bocelli.

In 2018, Bocelli released "Fall On Me" with his son Matteo. Both songs are on his album Sì, released in October 2018. He performed at the royal wedding of Princess Eugenie. In 2019, he performed in Saudi Arabia and at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Summer Universiade.

On 12 April 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Italy, Bocelli performed an Easter Sunday concert from an empty Milan Cathedral. This "Music For Hope" performance was streamed live on YouTube and had millions of views. In November 2020, he released Believe, an album related to the pandemic. He performed "Nessun Dorma" at the opening ceremony of the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship in 2021. He also sang it at the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2022.

On 21 October 2022, Bocelli released A Family Christmas with his son Matteo and daughter Virginia. In 2023, he performed at the Coronation Concert for King Charles III. In 2024, Andrea and Matteo performed at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile and at the Academy Awards.

Andrea Bocelli's Voice

Bocelli is a very popular singer with many fans worldwide. However, classical music critics have different opinions about his voice. The Italian tenor Franco Corelli praised Bocelli's voice when he first heard it in 1986. He later gave Bocelli private lessons.

Soprano Ana María Martínez, who often sings with Bocelli, said he brings a special "light" and "purity of heart and beauty of sound" that touches listeners. Celine Dion said that "if God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli." Producer David Foster also calls Bocelli's voice the most beautiful in the world. Jazz singer Al Jarreau and talk show host Oprah Winfrey have also praised his voice. Actress Elizabeth Taylor was a big fan and said, "God has kissed this man."

Some classical music critics have been more critical of Bocelli's opera singing. They have mentioned that his voice might lack the strength or control needed for certain opera roles. However, his popularity with audiences remains very high.

Awards and Recognition

Honours

• Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana) in Rome, 2006.
• Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella by the President of the Dominican Republic in 2009. This was for his work in international art and culture.
• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for his work in live theater, in 2010.
• Gold medal for Merit by the president of Serbia in 2022.

Selected Awards

• Winner of the 1994 Newcomers section of the Sanremo Music Festival.
• ECHO music award for "Best Single of the Year" for "Time to Say Goodbye", in 1997.
• ECHO Klassik "Best seller of the year" for Viaggio Italiano in 1997.
• Bambi Award in 1997.
• Two World Music Awards in 1998: "Best Italian Singer" and "Best Classical Interpretation".
• ECHO Klassik, for "Best selling classical album" with Aria: The Opera Album in 1998.
• Two 2000 Classical BRIT Awards for "Best selling classical album" and "Album of the year" for Sacred Arias.
• Goldene Europa for classical music in 2000.
• Goldene Kamera award in 2002.
• Two World Music Awards in 2002: "World best selling classical artist" and "Best selling Italian artist".
• 2002 Classical BRIT Award for "Outstanding Contribution to Music".
• Two 2003 Classical BRIT Awards for "Best selling classical album" and "Album of the year" for Sentimento.
• Two World Music Awards in 2006: "Best Italian Artist" and "World's Best-selling Classical Artist".
• World Music Awards for "World's Best-selling Classical Artist" in 2010.
• "America Award" of the Italy–USA Foundation in 2012.
• "International Artist of the Year" of the Classic Brit Awards 2012.
• The Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

Personal Life

Bocelli with his wife Veronica Berti in 2023

Andrea Bocelli met his first wife, Enrica Cenzatti, when he was singing in piano bars. They married on 27 June 1992. They had two sons: Amos, born in 1995, and Matteo, born in 1997. The couple separated in 2002.

Bocelli's father, Alessandro Bocelli, passed away on 30 April 2000. His mother encouraged him to keep his singing commitments. He sang for Pope John Paul II in Rome and then returned home for the funeral. At a concert in July 2000, Bocelli dedicated a song to his father's memory.

Bocelli lives with his second wife and manager, Veronica Berti. They met in 2002 and married on 21 March 2014. They have a daughter named Virginia, born in 2012. The family lives in Forte dei Marmi by the Mediterranean.

Bocelli loves horseback riding. A part of the beach in Jesolo, Italy, was named after him in 2003. He is a big fan of the Italian football club Inter Milan.

Teatro del Silenzio

In 2006, Bocelli convinced his hometown of Lajatico to build an outdoor theater called the "Teatro del Silenzio" (Theater of Silence). He is its honorary president. He usually performs there only one night each July. For the rest of the year, the theater is quiet.

Many famous artists have performed there since 2006. These include Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Sarah Brightman, Katherine Jenkins, and Laura Pausini. Instrumentalists like Lang Lang and Kenny G have also been guests. A concert from 2007 was released on CD and DVD.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Il mare calmo della sera (1994)
• Bocelli (1995)
• Viaggio Italiano (1996/1997)
• Aria: The Opera Album (1998)
• Sogno (1999)
• Sacred Arias (1999)
• Verdi (2000)
• Cieli di Toscana (2001)
• Sentimento (2002)
• Andrea (2004)
• Amore (2006)
• Incanto (2008)
• My Christmas (2009)
• Passione (2013)
• Cinema (2015)
• Sì (2018)
• Believe (2020)
• Duets (2024)

Collaborative Albums

• A Hymn for the World (1997)
• A Hymn for the World 2: Voices from Heaven (1998)
• Verdi's Requiem (2000)
• Carmen: Duets & Arias (2010)
• A Family Christmas (2022) with Matteo Bocelli and Virginia Bocelli

Filmography

Film

Television

See Also

In Spanish: Andrea Bocelli para niños

• Italian estimated best-selling music artists