... Born in 1958, Andrea Bocelli invaded the European music charts with his hit song “Con te partiro” – a mix of opera, classic and pop music. This was the first song I heard by this truly unique artist. I doubt any other singer (Enya can actually) can emanate so much peace and sentiment when ... Read review
Advantages: Surreal, peaceful, hypnotic, magic Disadvantages: Nono other than shedding the odd tear
...of opera. Born in 1958, Andrea Bocelli invaded the European music charts with his hit song “Con te partiro” – a mix of opera, classic and pop music. This was the first song I heard by this truly unique artist. I doubt any other singer (Enya can actually) can emanate so much peace and sentiment when they sing.
Like many great artists Bocelli’s rare musical talent manifested itself from a very young age and he started having piano lessons ... ...Born with poor eyesight, Andrea Bocelli became totally blind following a soccer accident. Being strong willed and determined, this would constitute an obstacle for this gifted man.
Opera and singing were also one of his early interests. Nevertheless after school, he opted to read Law at the University of Pisa, where he graduated as a Doctor of Law. This career would be short lived as the call of music imposed itself upon him. more
"One only sees clearly through the heart. The essential is invisible to the eyes". Antoine de Saint-Exupery;
Do I like opera? Not really. As much as I appreciate its cultural value it was never present in my life and I was never drawn to it. In the mid 90s however there would be an Italian singer from Tuscany that would change my view of opera. Born in 1958, Andrea Bocelli invaded the European music charts with his hit song “Con te partiro” – a mix of opera, classic and pop music. This was the first song I heard by this truly unique artist. I doubt any other singer (Enya can actually) can emanate so much peace and sentiment when they sing.
Like many great artists Bocelli’s rare musical talent manifested itself from a very young age and he started having piano lessons from the age of five, followed by flute and saxophone. Born with poor eyesight, Andrea Bocelli became totally blind following a soccer accident. Being strong willed and determined, this would constitute an obstacle for this gifted man.
Opera and singing were also one of his early interests. Nevertheless after school, he opted to read Law at the University of Pisa, where he graduated as a Doctor of Law. This career would be short lived as the call of music imposed itself upon him.
Andrea made a few contacts and it wasn’t difficult to find work with his obvious talent. Until stardom opened its doors to him, Bocelli was singing and playing in various bars and clubs. It would be Zucchero, the rock legend, who would project Andrea to the limelight when he auditioned him for a demo tape he intended to use to persuade Pavarotti to sing a song he’d co-written with Bono from U2.
Pavarotti was not only impressed but also suggested that the yet unknown Bocelli should sing the song entitled “Miserere”. However, Pavarotti would later agree to record “Miserere” himself, but it was Andrea who appeared in the live concerts, leaving the crowds transfixed by his voice and presence.
After meeting Pavarotti, to his request, Andrea started to perform in charity galas where big profiles in the music scene were present, such as Bryan Adams, Brian Ferry, among others. As his television appearances increased his fans multiplied.
In 1994 Bocelli entered the prestigious festival of San Remo singing “Miserere” alone. His victory preceded the recording of his first album, which reached the Italian Top Ten. However, it wasn’t until the following year, when he returned to San Remo Festival as it was customary for the previous year winner, that the impending success crossed borders with “Con Te Partiro”, that reached Platinum in every country it was released.
In Belgium it was Platinum six times, four in Germany, France and Holland and double Platinum in Italy. Sarah Brightman wasn’t oblivious of Bocelli’s gifted voice and after contacting the tenor the two re-recorded “Con Te Partiro” under the title “Time to Say Goodbye”, with members of the London Symphony Orchestra.
The single was a tribute to Henry Maske, a German boxing champion retiring from competition, and although he did not win the farewell competition Bocelli embarked on a new wave of success followed by the album “Romanza” in 1997. This hymn, like Bocelli’s voice, is a melody that transcends the senses.
In 1997, the singer from Tuscany released “Sogno” (Dream), and this is one of my favourite albums; one that seems to transport you into an ethereal plane. I rushed to buy this one, especially when I realised that one of the best Portuguese Modern Fado singers, Dulce Pontes was in the album, singing ‘O Mare E Tu – an alluring song reminiscent of the Portuguese discoveries of the 16th century.
Celine Dion and Eros Ramazzotti also perform in this album. I choose not to go through every single song in the album “Sogno” for two reasons; the first being that this review is meant to talk about Andrea Bocelli himself, and the other being that the nature of his music can only be evaluated through listening. What cannot be put into words is better left unspoken.
Unsurprisingly Andrea Bocelli is one of the most successful singers and can count Bill Clinton and the Pope himself among his faithful audience. Celine Dion is reported to have made the following comment on her friend’s voice “If God had a singing voice, he would sound like Andrea Bocelli."
Andrea Bocelli will be performing live at Wembley Arena in London, on the 7th November 2004. Prices range from £35-£125.
Advantages: An extraordinary voice from an extraordinary man. Disadvantages: He doesn't have enough CD's out to keep me happy.
Andrea Bocelli's voice is soothing and mellow, and it just keeps getting better and better. It does not matter if you can understand the language he is singing in or not because the emotion is transmitted by his voice in such a way that language is meaningless.
Bocelli's talent is inborn, not bred. His singing is efforless and his choice of songs compliment his voice beautifully. I have every one of his CD's and there's not a bad one in the bunch. ...
maureenjallen 16.05.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Andrea Bocelli
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Andrea Bocelli"
of Enigma and other equally relaxing tunes, I love it.
MOST THOUGHT PROVOKING-
This has to be "Depeche Mode" and their album "songs of faith and devotion" lots of meaningful words.
ONE YOU MOST REGRET BUYING-
what, only one !!!!
ONE YOU'VE BORROWED, BUT KEEP FORGETTING TO GIVE BACK-
To be honest I am pretty good. People tend to pinch DCs off me and never give them back !
ALBUM YOU WISH YOU'D MADE YOURSELF-
Too many to only list one, I love Ofra Haza (God rest her Soul), AndreaBocelli, and numerous Arabic artists whose music is absolute heaven.
ALBUM YOU PUT ON WHEN YOU?RE GETTING READY TO GO OUT-
Probably some dance compilation. I do love a good dance choon, some of my faves include:-
Storm "Time to burn"
Lost brothers "Cry little sister"
Deja Vu "To deserve you"
iio "Rapture"
Plus many, MANY others ...
Advantages: Its a Challenge Disadvantages: So there are none
Apparently this was set up by Scampi1 and I'm feeling like writing yet another nice n easy challenge to get me back in the swing of things - enjoy!
A. If you'd been born a girl instead of a boy or vice-versa, do you know what name(s) your parents would have given you ?
Apparently Michela, I've no idea why but it makes me glad that I was born a bloke *shudders at the thought of being called Michela*
B. Do you share a birthday with anyone famous ?
*checks* Whoo! Cool! I share a bitrhday with someone whos awesome - Nick Cave!!! Apparently its also shared by some guy called Tom Felton, as well as Scott Baio, AndreaBocelli and probably a few others.
C. Marmite, do you love it or hate it ?
Ewwwwwwwwwwwww
D. What book are you currently reading, or have you finished recently ?
The book I've just finished was yet ...
Advantages: All these songs RULE!! Disadvantages: Alas...you cant satisfy everyone
piece of all time! Ludwig Van's greatest work.
06 Con Te Partiro - AndreaBocelli
This is in here for the sole reason that I am yet to meet someone who doesn?t like it (except for when my friend drives around town singing it on the top of his voice! (Dont worry, he?s half Italian!)). It astounds me that one person can have such a powerful voice whilst not seeming to try at all! Im not sure where I first heard it, but I found out what it was whilst sitting in my friends kitchen, and his mum had it on. I think that I have listened to it everyday since, and it is now the ring tone to my phone! I hate opera, but this is outstanding!
07 Digital Bath - Deftones
I had to put this in, my first decent musical love was to heavy rock, and this is my tribute to it. Digital Bath has been my favourite song since...well...since I can remember ...
