Andrea Bocelli
Biography
Andrea Bocelli has been called "the fourth tenor." A disciple of Luciano Pavarotti and Zucchero Fornaciari, the blind, Tuscany-born vocalist emerged as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary opera during the late 20th century. His participation in Pavarotti's 1992 hit "Miserere" and Fornaciari's 1993 world tour helped propel him to international attention. Opera represented only one side of his musical persona, however, as Bocelli fared equally well as a pop ballad singer, recording duets with such singers as Celine Dion, Sarah Brightman, and Eros Ramazzotti. Al Jarreau, who sang with Bocelli during Night of the Proms in November 1995, aptly praised the vocalist when he said, "I have had the honor to sing with the most beautiful voice in the world."
Bocelli grew up on a farm in Lajatico, a rural village in Tuscany. Beginning piano lessons at the age of six, he later added flute and saxophone to his list of musical abilities. The young Bocelli also suffered from poor eyesight, having been born with congenital glaucoma, and a soccer accident rendered him completely blind at the age of 12. Undaunted, Bocelli continued to sing and later enrolled at the University of Pisa, where he earned a law doctorate. Briefly working as a lawyer allowed him to pay for his singing lessons with famed tenor Franco Corelli; performing in piano bars also helped balance the budget.
Bocelli's first break as a singer came in 1992, when the Italian rock singer Zucchero Fornaciari auditioned tenors to record a demo version of "Miserere," which he had co-written with U2's Bono. Successfully passing the audition, Bocelli recorded the tune as a duet with Pavarotti, with whom he became close friends. After touring with Fornaciari in 1993, Bocelli then performed as a guest star at the Pavarotti International Festival, held in Modena in September 1994. In November 1995, Bocelli toured Holland, Belgium, Germany, Spain, and France under the auspices of the Night of the Proms concert series, which also featured Al Jarreau, Bryan Ferry, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, and John Miles. Furthermore, he began a solo career that would soon make him an icon in the classical crossover genre.
Bocelli's first two albums -- Andrea Bocelli in 1994 and Bocelli in 1996 -- showcased his operatic singing, while his third effort, Viaggio Italiano, featured famous arias and traditional songs from Naples. Although released only in Italy, the album sold upwards of 300,000 copies. With his fourth effort, 1997's Romanza, Bocelli rose to superstar status as he embraced more elements of pop music. The multi-platinum album included the international hit "Time to Say Goodbye," recorded as a duet with Sarah Brightman. Bocelli continued to focus on pop balladry with Sogno, released in 1999, which featured a duet with Celine Dion on "The Prayer." The album sold more than ten million copies worldwide, received a Golden Globe Award, and led to Bocelli's Grammy nomination as Best New Artist. A collection of holiday arias arrived that same year, followed by Verdi in 2000. In 2001, Bocelli paid tribute to his Tuscan roots with Cieli di Toscana, while the popular Andrea kept his international presence alive in 2004. Bocelli returned in 2006 with two releases: Amore, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Top 200 chart (Bocelli's highest chart position in America); and the live CD/DVD package Under the Desert Sky. His 20th album, a collection of romantic cover songs entitled Incanto, was issued in 2008. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
E bravissimo,e spero un giorno di vederlo in persona ,Avendo una voce magnifica ,e ascoltanto le sue canzone con tanto rispetto mi fa sognaRE CIAO E AUGURONI ANDREA TN
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This is one of the few great tenors of aur time / that we are able to apreciate and enjoy
Hector Cojulun |
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No verbs left to describe the God-given talent of Andrea Bocelli. Miracles do still happen.
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The voice of an angel, God blessed this man with a beautiful voice. Soothing, and relaxing and inspirationa l .
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God has blessed with a beautiful voice! A voice that can make you feel sooo good after a long hard day at work! Thanks Andrea
Sonja LaDolce |
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I love him more than words can say. I am Italian and if he would ask me to marry him I would in a New York minute. I also would wash his feet daily.
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I am 61 and love beautiful music. Andrea Bocelli is my most favorite singer of all time and I admire his courage!
Fred Davoli |
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I have ever heard. I love to just sit with my eyes closed and listen to Mr. Bocelli sing. Besame A voice that can soothe and chill at the same time. there is none I love more, I never tire of his singing <3 I love andrea's voice, I never get tired of it. My first and finest introduction to classical music was Andrea Bocelli. He has the most beautiful, peaceful and melodic voice I've ever heard. Absolutely beautiful! Now I just need to learn Italian...
made it a wonderful experience for me. God |
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Probably the best voice I have ever heard. I love to just sit with my eyes closed and listen to Mr. Bocelli sing. Besame Mucho has to be my favorite, but everything I hear from him is worth listening to. Oh, to have a voice like his.
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I have always loved Andrea, seeing him on television many years ago, and once appearing with the very great Pavarotti. He is very versatile. Thanks so much for filling out his biography, for I had no idea of his multiple talents and even becoming a lawyer while blind!! He is a hero of mine.
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He has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. Can't get enough of him. I play the DVD "Under the Desert Sky" all the time.
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santa m
la sua voce e come laria che si respira spero di vederla in concerto |
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My first and finest introduction to classical music was Andrea Bocelli. He has the most beautiful, peaceful and melodic voice I've ever heard.
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His deep sensual voice makes my soul sing. I don't need to understand the words, my heart knows his message.
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The voice is unique...The power and the Lyrics are second to none...You do not even need to know Italian to appreciate Andrea...He makes the world a happier place...
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I started teaching myself Italian just so I could understand his songs, now that I can I liked him even more. His voice is unique!!! Understandin g the lyrics in the songs made it a wonderful experience for me. God bless him.
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I learned Italian because of you, Andrea; and it has opened up a whole new world of music for me. What a blessing! What a voice!
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I love him. I do not understand Italian, but I don't care. I love his voice. As far as I am concerned, it should be Andrea Bocelli and the the other tenors.
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I think he the greatest person in the whole wide world, His voice is
the best!!!!!! I met him once. and would love to see him again.There is not one day that goes by that I don't listen to one of his songs. His voice makes me tingle all over!!! |
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Just 'Blows',you Doors Off.'Don't it.?' lol..{ and will make the hair stand up,on Most Women's Necks}...... I f Not:,Take her Home Immediatly.l o l . . .
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