Andrea Bocelli is a renowned Italian tenor who rose to fame in 1994 after winning the newcomers' section of the Sanremo Music Festival with his performance of "Il mare calmo della sera." Prior to his breakthrough, Bocelli honed his craft by performing in piano bars and participating in local singing competitions. His debut album was released under the Sugar Music label.
Andrea Bocelli was born in September 1958 with congenital glaucoma, a condition that impaired his sight.
Andrea Bocelli was born in September 1958 with impaired sight due to congenital glaucoma.
The song "Caro Gesù Bambino," which Bocelli would later perform, was originally recorded by the Piccolo Coro dell'Antoniano in 1960.
Bocelli completed his secondary school education in 1980.
Franco Corelli, an Italian spinto tenor, gave Bocelli private lessons in 1986 after hearing him sing during a master class.
In 1987, while performing at piano bars, Bocelli met his future wife, Enrica.
Andrea Bocelli married Enrica Cenzatti in June 1992.
In 1992, Bocelli auditioned for Italian rock star Zucchero, leading to a collaboration on the song "Miserere." This connection brought him to the attention of Luciano Pavarotti.
Bocelli embarked on a European concert tour with Zucchero in 1993, performing duets and solo sets.
In February 1994, Bocelli secured victory at the main Sanremo Festival competition. Subsequently, he released his debut album, which quickly gained popularity and achieved platinum status in Italy.
Bocelli embarked on a tour with pop singer Gerardina Trovato in May 1994.
Bocelli participated again in the Sanremo Festival, this time in the main competition, with the song "Con te partirò," achieving fourth place.
In 1994, Bocelli won the newcomers' section of the 44th Sanremo Music Festival with the song "Il mare calmo della sera," launching him into fame.
Andrea Bocelli and Enrica Cenzatti welcomed their first child, a son named Amos, in February 1995.
Bocelli's second album, "Bocelli," was released in November 1995, featuring the hit song "Con te partirò."
Andrea Bocelli embarked on the "Night of the Proms" tour in Europe in 1995, where he shared the stage with renowned jazz singer Al Jarreau.
Matteo, Bocelli's second son with Enrica Cenzatti, was born in October 1997.
Andrea Bocelli held 22 open-air concerts in Germany during the summer of 1997, concluding with an indoor concert in Oberhausen on August 31st.
Bocelli received the ECHO Klassik Best Seller of the Year award for his album "Viaggio Italiano" in Munich, Germany, on September 14, 1997.
Bocelli released the compilation album "Romanza." He also recorded multiple language versions of the song "Vivo per lei," collaborating with various artists.
On September 1997, Bocelli performed at the Piazza dei Cavalieri in Pisa for his home video, "A Night in Tuscany." This marked his first concert broadcasted on PBS, introducing him to American audiences.
Originally released in 1997 as a duet in Italian with Trovatto on Bocelli's album "Romanza," "Vive Ya" found renewed success in 2007 with an English version released on "The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere."
From June to August 1998, Bocelli embarked on a tour across North and South America.
On November 8, 1998, Bocelli's seventh album, "Sacred Arias," focusing exclusively on sacred music, was released globally.
In September 1998, Bocelli received his second Echo Klassik award, this time for Best Selling Classical Album with "Aria: The Opera Album."
In 1998, Celine Dion notably introduced Andrea Bocelli during her Christmas Special "These Are Special Times," remarking that his voice resembled God's.
In 1998, Bocelli was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.
In 1998, Bocelli was recognized as one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People. He also duetted with Celine Dion on "The Prayer" for the film "Quest for Camelot," which garnered awards recognition.
Bocelli's fifth album, "Aria: The Opera Album," was released in March 1998.
Bocelli was a guest on Celine Dion's television special "These Are Special Times" on Thanksgiving Eve in 1998, where they performed their duet "The Prayer." He also sang "Ave Maria" solo.
Bocelli made his major operatic debut in February 1998, playing Rodolfo in a production of "La bohème" at the Teatro Comunale in Cagliari.
Andrea Bocelli made his United States debut with a concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on April 19, 1998. The following day, he attended a reception at the White House hosted by then-President Bill Clinton.
In 1998, Bocelli appeared on Jay Leno's first installment of "The Tonight Show" and received the Crystal Apple award from then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Bocelli won two World Music Awards on May 5, 1998, in Monte Carlo: Best Italian Singer and Best Classical Interpretation.
Andrea Bocelli released the album "Sogno" in 1999.
Bocelli received a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 1999.
To promote "Sacred Arias," Bocelli recorded his second PBS concert at the Santa Maria sopra Minerva church in Rome in 1999, performing a majority of the album's songs.
Andrea Bocelli experienced the loss of his father, Alessandro Bocelli, in April 2000.
In December 2000, The New York Times music critic Anthony Tommasini critiqued Bocelli's "La bohème" album, citing technical shortcomings in his singing.
Bocelli's world tour continued with four concerts in Japan and South Korea from May 12th to 14th, 2000.
On July 6, 2000, Bocelli held his third PBS special, "American Dream: Andrea Bocelli's Statue Of Liberty Concert," at the Statue of Liberty in New York City, dedicating it to his father who had passed away earlier that year.
In May 2000, listeners of the UK's Classic FM radio station voted Bocelli's "Sacred Arias" as album of the year.
In 2000, Bocelli experienced the loss of his father.
Bocelli's album "Sacred Arias" reached number one on the US Classic Billboard charts in November 2000, making him the first vocalist to hold the top three spots simultaneously.
Bocelli performed Giuseppe Verdi's Messa da Requiem at the Verona Arena in Rome on August 17, 2000.
Bocelli performed "The Prayer" with Celine Dion at the 42nd Grammy Awards ceremony in 2000.
Bocelli kicked off his "World Tour 2000" on March 31st, 2000.
At the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000, Bocelli received two nominations for "The Prayer": Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Bocelli portrayed the main character in Pietro Mascagni's opera "L'amico Fritz" at the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona in January 2001.
In January 2001, Bocelli once again performed the tenor part in Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem.
Throughout 2002, Andrea Bocelli had a series of successful concerts and received numerous awards, including a Goldene Kamera award, two World Music Awards, and a Classical BRIT Award. He performed at prestigious venues, collaborated with renowned artists, and released his album "Sentimento", which quickly achieved global recognition.
Andrea Bocelli's path crossed with Veronica Berti's in 2002, marking the beginning of their relationship.
After a decade of marriage, Andrea Bocelli and Enrica Cenzatti separated in 2002.
In February 2003, Bocelli performed "Madama Butterfly" in Monte Carlo. He also took on the role of producer at the Sanremo Festival, showcasing his support for emerging artists.
As a tribute to his contributions to music, a section of the beach in Jesolo, located on Italy's Adriatic coast, was named after Andrea Bocelli in August 2003.
In 2004, Bocelli performed leading roles in operas like "Werther" and "Tosca". He toured Asia extensively, participated in significant concerts like the "We are the Future" project, and released his third complete opera, "Il trovatore".
On March 21, 2004, Bocelli participated in the "Music for Asia" benefit concert in Rome. This event, televised on Italia 1, aimed to raise funds for the victims of the devastating Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
In 2005, Andrea Bocelli dedicated himself to recording Georges Bizet's opera, "Carmen." This recording featured the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and the Chœur de Radio France, conducted by Myung-whun Chung. Notably, Welsh Bass-baritone Bryn Terfel joined the ensemble for this project.
In April 2006, Bocelli appeared on American Idol as a guest coach, mentoring finalists and performing on the results show. This appearance led to collaborations with runner-up Katharine McPhee, including duets and concert appearances.
Through Andrea Bocelli's initiative, the "Teatro del Silenzio" was built in his hometown of Lajatico in 2006, serving as an outdoor theater where he performs annually.
The "Teatro del Silenzio," an outdoor theater in Lajatico, Italy, opened its doors in 2006.
In 2006, Bocelli was bestowed with the prestigious title of Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Bocelli wrapped up his extensive 2006 tour with a series of concerts in North America and Europe, marking another successful year in his career.
Bocelli, alongside Gianna Nannini, performed "Ama, credi e vai", the Italian version of "Because We Believe", at the opening ceremony of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Berlin, captivating a global audience.
July 2007 saw Bocelli performing "The Music of the Night" at the Concert for Diana and at the Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico. This period also marked his debut at Avery Fisher Hall and the release of his opera album, "Pagliacci".
October 2007 marked several television appearances for Bocelli, including performances on "Strictly Come Dancing" and "An Audience with Céline Dion." He also performed "Vive Ya" with Laura Pausini at the Latin Grammy Awards.
Celine Dion's DVD of her TV special "These Are Special Times," featuring her duet with Bocelli on "The Prayer," was re-released in 2007.
In 2007, Bocelli's duet of "Con te partirò" with Sarah Brightman was featured in the film "Blades of Glory". He also paid tribute to Luciano Pavarotti by performing at his funeral in Modena, Italy.
The 2007 concert at "Teatro del Silenzio," featuring Andrea Bocelli, was recorded and later made available on CD and DVD in 2008.
In January 2008, Andrea Bocelli received the prestigious Italian TV award, Telegatto in platinum, for his contributions to Italian music worldwide. The ceremony, held in Rome, featured Bocelli's captivating performances of "La voce del silenzio" (The voice of silence) and "Dare to Live".
Andrea Bocelli had a busy May in 2008. He first performed at the Steel Aréna in Košice, Slovakia, for an audience of 8,000. Later in May, he held a charity concert at the "Teatro delle Muse" in Ancona, Italy. This concert supported "Francesca Rava – N.P.H. Italia Onlus," a foundation dedicated to aiding impoverished and disabled children globally.
In May 2008, Andrea Bocelli participated in a Las Vegas tribute concert honoring Canadian producer and songwriter David Foster. During the event, Bocelli performed "The Prayer" alongside Katharine McPhee. Notably, Bocelli praised Filipina singer Charice's talent after witnessing her performance at the concert.
Andrea Bocelli captivated an audience of 80,000 in June 2008 with his performance at Milan's Piazza del Duomo. The concert was a grand celebration of the anniversary of the Italian Republic's founding.
August 2008 began with Andrea Bocelli holding a benefit concert in Medjugorje, Bosnia Herzegovina, accompanied by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. The latter part of August saw Bocelli embark on his third tour of Australia and New Zealand. Singer Tina Arena joined him for all five performances of the tour.
During September 2008's Veneto Festival, Andrea Bocelli delivered a performance at the Church of the Eremitani in Padua, Italy. The concert featured accompaniment by the I Solisti Veneti orchestra, commemorating its 50th anniversary under the direction of Claudio Scimone, as well as the Wiener Singakademie choir. This event served as a tribute to mark Giacomo Puccini's 150th birthday.
In 2008, Andrea Bocelli released his album "Incanto." As part of his promotional efforts, he appeared on the Norwegian talk show "Skavlan" in March 2010. During the show, he engaged in a rare interview with host Fredrik Skavlan and later delivered a performance of "Voglio Vivere Cosi" from "Incanto," accompanied by the Norwegian Boys' choir, Sølvguttene.
The recording of Andrea Bocelli's 2007 concert at "Teatro del Silenzio" was released in 2008, capturing the magic of the performance.
Andrea Bocelli released his album "Incanto" in 2008, featuring the song "Un Amore Cosi Grande."
The Stadio Olimpico in Rome witnessed Andrea Bocelli's performance at the opening ceremony of the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final in May 2009. Bocelli captivated the audience with his renditions of "Il Gladiatore" from the Gladiator soundtrack and the UEFA Champions League Anthem, a piece inspired by G.F. Handel's "Zadok the Priest."
Following his "My Christmas" US winter tour in 2009, Andrea Bocelli embarked on an Asian tour. The tour included stops at Budokan in Tokyo, Japan; Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul, South Korea; Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong; Taipei Arena in Taipei, Taiwan; and a noteworthy free concert at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, organized by YTL Corporation. This free concert drew over 12,000 attendees selected through a public ballot and was broadcasted on Channel NewsAsia and Okto in Singapore. Australian pop singer Delta Goodrem joined Bocelli for all five concerts on this Asian tour, marking a continuation of their collaboration from his US tour.
Andrea Bocelli's activities in 2009 centered around his album "My Christmas." Notable events include his meeting with Pope Benedict XVI alongside 250 artists in Rome, broadcast live in Italy by Rai Uno. He also performed "Caro Gesù Bambino" with the Piccolo Coro dell'Antoniano at his Forte dei Marmi home, a performance aired by both Rai Uno and during the Zecchino d'Oro Festival. Bocelli appeared on the Italian talk show "Che tempo che fa" to promote his album, performing "The Lord's Prayer," "White Christmas," and "Silent Night." He later returned to the show for a live concert featuring songs from "My Christmas." Bocelli's participation in the 2009 José Carreras Gala included performances of "Adeste Fideles" and a duet of "White Christmas" with José Carreras, broadcasted live on Das Erste in Germany. Concluding his 2009 activities, Bocelli performed at the Upper Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, a concert broadcasted on Rai Uno following Pope Benedict XVI's Urbi et Orbi blessing.
Following Bocelli's performance at the Hollywood Bowl in 2009, Elizabeth Taylor, a devoted fan, praised his voice and artistry.
During a 2009 performance in New York, music critic Steve Smith gave a mixed review of Bocelli's performance, acknowledging his pleasant tone but pointing out technical limitations.
Bocelli's album "My Christmas" was released in 2009 and achieved remarkable success, becoming the best-selling holiday album of the year.
At the 52nd Grammy Awards in January 2010, Andrea Bocelli, Mary J. Blige, and David Foster united once again for a moving performance. They dedicated their rendition of "Bridge over Troubled Water" to the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti that year.
After an Italian release in 2008, Andrea Bocelli's complete opera recording of "Carmen" saw its international release in March 2010. A single-disc compilation, "Carmen: Duets & Arias," featuring selected arias and duets from the recording, was also launched in 2010.
On March 2, 2010, Bocelli was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his significant contributions to Live Theater.
September 2010 witnessed Andrea Bocelli's philanthropic spirit as he dedicated his performances to charitable causes. He held a concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, Greece, with all proceeds directed towards cancer research. Additionally, Bocelli performed in Cairo, Egypt, captivating audiences against the backdrop of the pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza. Back in Italy, he held a fundraising concert inside the Duomo di Milano to support the victims of the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake.
In November 2010, Bocelli began his My Christmas Tour, performing two concerts at The O2 Arena in London and Manchester Arena. He also performed at The O2 in Dublin. The London show was the most attended in the venue's history at that time.
After finishing his My Christmas Tour, Bocelli launched his Notte Illuminata Tour with a performance in Pisa at the Teatro Verdi in December 2010.
Andrea Bocelli received his seventh World Music Award in 2010, claiming the title of "Best Classical Artist." During the ceremony, he delivered a performance of "Un Amore Cosi Grande" from his 2008 album, "Incanto."
Andrea Bocelli, a devoted fan of the Italian football club Inter Milan, celebrated their victory in the Champions League in 2010.
Joe Banno of The Washington Post gave a negative review of Bocelli's 2010 recording of "Carmen," criticizing his vocal performance despite acknowledging his talent in pop music.
The fifth and final edition of the Teatro del Silenzio, held in Andrea Bocelli's hometown of Lajatico, Tuscany, took place in July 2010. The event featured guest appearances by Spanish Catalan tenor José Carreras and Italian rock singer Zucchero. Sculptures by Swiss artist Kurt Laurenz Metzler, who attended the event, were exhibited. Bocelli received the Pisano Doc award during the concert's dress rehearsal and was honored with the 2010 Premio Lunezia nel mondo in a private ceremony, recognizing "the musical-literary quality of his songs."
The year 2010 saw Andrea Bocelli participating in Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China. He graced the opening ceremony with a performance of "Nessun dorma." This was followed by a concert titled "Charming China" at Shanghai Stadium. This concert was later broadcasted on Shanghai TV and CCTV Channels across mainland China.
During his Incanto Tour, Bocelli performed five concerts in East and Southeast Asia with New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra in May 2011.
In September 2011, Bocelli and Veronica Berti shared the news of expecting their first child together, which would be Bocelli's third.
In 2011, Bocelli continued his Incanto Tour with a Latin America leg of the tour.
In February 2012, Bocelli performed the role of Romeo in Charles Gounod's opera "Roméo et Juliette" at the Teatro Carlo Felice. He was only able to perform two out of three scheduled shows due to pharyngitis.
Veronica Berti, Bocelli's partner, gave birth to their daughter, Virginia, in March 2012.
In 2012, Bocelli performed an open-air concert in Armenia at Yerevan's Liberty Square. He also performed for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the Royal Albert Hall.
Bocelli released his studio album "Passione", which features duets with Jennifer Lopez and Nelly Furtado, on January 29, 2013. He was also an honorary guest at the 61st Annual National Prayer Breakfast where he performed "Ombra mai fu" and "Ave Maria".
Andrea Bocelli expanded his real estate holdings in October 2013 by purchasing a second home in North Miami Beach.
Andrea Bocelli and Veronica Berti exchanged vows in March 2014 at the Sanctuary of Montenero in Livorno, Italy.
On October 23, 2015, Bocelli released his fifteenth studio album, "Cinema", which features renditions of classic film soundtracks. The album features duets with Ariana Grande, Nicole Scherzinger, and Veronica Berti.
In 2015, Leicester City played their final match of the 2015-2016 Premier League.
In May 2016, Bocelli performed at the King Power Stadium before the final match of the 2015-2016 Premier League.
Ed Sheeran and Bocelli released their collaborative duet, "Perfect Symphony", in December 2017. The song is a rendition of Sheeran's song "Perfect" with some of the verses sung in Italian.
Bocelli's autobiographical novel, "La musica del silenzio," was adapted into the film "The Music of Silence," directed by Michael Radford, and released in 2017.
After 14 years, Bocelli released a new single titled "If Only" in June 2018.
Bocelli released a single, "Fall On Me", featuring his son Matteo in September 2018.
Bocelli performed at the royal wedding of Princess Eugenie at the request of Sarah, Duchess of York. He sang "Ave Maria" and "Panis angelicus".
In October 2018, Bocelli released his album "Si" which features "Fall On Me". An English version of "Fall On Me" was also released at this time.
Bocelli performed at the 'Winter at Tantora' festival in February 2019. This was his first performance in Saudi Arabia.
At the opening ceremony of the 2019 Summer Universiade in July 2019, Bocelli performed three songs, including "Fall On Me" with Matteo Bocelli.
In 2019, Bocelli released the album "Sì," which marked his first number-one album in both the UK and US Billboard 200 charts.
Bocelli performed the Italian National Anthem at the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix in September 2020.
In November 2020, Bocelli released an album titled "Believe".
In June 2022, Bocelli performed "Nessun Dorma" at a celebration for the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
In a special appearance in November 2022, Andrea Bocelli was joined by his sons, Matteo and Amos, for a performance at the UK Festival of Remembrance held at the Royal Albert Hall.
In 2022, Bocelli was honored with a gold medal for Merit in Serbia.
During the BBC's Coronation Concert for Charles III in May 2023, Bocelli and Bryn Terfel performed "You'll Never Walk Alone".
In December 2023, Andrea Bocelli shared the screen with his son Matteo in the theatrical release of "Christmas with the Chosen: Holy Night," captivating audiences with a rendition of "Oh Holy Night."
Andrea Bocelli and Matteo Bocelli performed at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater in Viña del Mar, Chile in February 2024. They received the Gaviota Silver and Gold.
Andrea Bocelli and Matteo Bocelli performed "Time to Say Goodbye" at the 96th Academy Awards in March 2024.