Andrea Bocelli — The Italian Maestro

Oh, Andrea! Are you the Vivaldi of our times? Perhaps no one can outdo the Baroque maestro from centuries ago. But we all know. Vivaldi would have loved for you to lend your voice to his work. I had not listened to ‘The Prayer’ before I had heard that Celine Dion had compared your voice to that of a God. I know for certain that she could not have made a better comparison.

Andrea Bocelli was born in Pisa and grew up in the fine vineyards of Tuscany. Perhaps no better place would have suited the maestro than to have been born in the same place as other Italian maestros such as Giacomo Puccini, and Pietro Mascagni. He was diagnosed with congenital glaucoma at the age of 7 which severely affected his sight. By the age of 12, he had completely lost his vision. But this was not going to stop the maestro.

Bocelli started playing various instruments from a very young age. He immediately developed a passion for tenor which was complemented by his ability to sing like the great opera singers of the past.

Rising To Fame

Even after losing his ability to see, the Maestro did not lose the will to pursue what he dearly loved; Classical music. He began as a young inexperienced but immensely talented singer in the early 1990s performing at local bars and competing in music competitions. After Bocelli’s performance of the great “Nessun Dorma”, he gained mass acclaim. This included being noticed by the Italian superstar Zucchero. Subsequently, the Sugar Music Label signed him on in 1993, kick-starting his professional music career.

The odds proved to be in the Maestro’s favor as participation in the 44th Sanremo Music Festival in 1994 was the break that he required. The world would now appreciate his gift. He made history by obtaining the highest marks ever recorded in the festival in the newcomer’s section of this competition.

From then on, the Maestro soared great heights of success, a journey spanning over 25 years of musical masterpieces.

Romanza

Bocelli gained popularity across Europe in 1994 with the release of his album titled “ Il mare calmo della sera”. After winning the Sanremo competition, Bocelli was extended the invitation of performing again the next year. In 1995, he performed “Con Te Partiro”, a well-acclaimed single from his second album titled “Bocelli” released the same year.

This song went on to become one of the most popular songs of the Maestro’s career. Some accolades that this single bagged include being the best-selling single of all time in Belgium, and its English version topping the German charts.

In 1997, Andrea Bocelli released Romanza. This was a compilation album comprising of the singles in “Il mare calmo della sera” and “Bocelli”. Romanza became the Maestro’s breakthrough album, celebrating his love for pop-classical music across America and Europe. There is no classical music enthusiast that doesn’t recognize the brilliance behind Bocelli’s Romanza in today’s day and age.

The Prayer For All Prayers

1998, marked the beginning of Bocelli’s debut in the United States. After several smashing performances and tours, Bocelli landed on Celine Dion’s TV show. Here, both the superstars performed the song “The Prayer” that immediately gained uncharted appraise and popularity.

The Maestro’s fifth and most commercially successful album Sogno included this breathtakingly beautiful duet that both the singers recorded together. The Prayer won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was also featured in Quest for Camelot, a 1998 film. Together, Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli performed this song on various occasions, blessing millions of listeners across the globe.

Moreover, Bocelli even performed at the nomination ceremonies for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration for Vocals in 2000, and the Academy Award For Best Original Song a year earlier in 1999.

Bocelli In The Holidays

Imagine, a cozy night in December, with Christmas right around the corner. What can be more relaxing than listening to the soothing voice of none other than the Maestro? The voice of the wood crackling as you find yourself lost in the deep classical songs sung by Bocelli.

Andrea Bocelli released his first Christmas Album and his thirteenth studio album in 2009. It won the hearts of fans around the world immediately. It included selections in the Italian, French, German, and English languages. As if the Maestro alone wasn’t reason enough to buy the album, there were several duets with distinguished artists. Mary J. Blige, Katherine Jenkins, The Muppets, and Natalie Cole were just some names amongst them.

My Christmas soon gained fifth place in the “Most Albums Sold Worldwide” charts. This was after it was awarded the title of being the best-selling holiday album of 2009. With the success of this album came myriads of TV appearances and performances for Bocelli. The most notable of these include performing on the Oprah Winfrey Show and The Today Show. The Maestro even graced his presence at the premiere of Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” at Leicester Square, London, the same year.

The Splendid Journey

It’s not without justification that millions of fans around the globe consider the Maestro to be the best solo performer in the history of the pop-classical music genre. His sixth album, Sacred Arias, released in 1999, reported selling over 20 million copies worldwide. From numerous best-sellers to being invited by The Royal Highness herself to perform at the annual Royal Variety Performance, one can not possibly fathom the zenith of success acquired by Bocelli.

Through his exquisite vocal range and utmost soothing tone, the Maestro rules the hearts of many music enthusiasts. The question arises, does the star shining on the famous Hollywood Walk to Fame even come close to depicting the love and honor that the Maestro has earned?

Lastly, after being awestruck listening to the Bocelli, perhaps one starts to believe that parallel drawn by Celine Dion between the Maestro’s voice and that of a God.