Andrea Boccelli and Helene Segara - Vivo per lei

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Celine Deon once said that: “If God would have a voice, it would be that of Andrea Bocelli.” The singer not only inspires with his angelic voice, but with his courage and determination. Blind since the age of 12, he has not let his handicap stand in the way of achieving phenomenal success. He has said that: "I believe that we all have a destiny that we can practice. Mine was singing…"

Perhaps his strength comes from his faith. A devout Catholic, Bocelli refused to sing Ave Maria at the Scientologist wedding of Tom Cruise because he thought that it would be disrespectful to the Church.

When he was eight he went on a pilgrimage to Lourdes with his family. He told the priest who later officiated at his wedding ceremony, that he prayed for serenity. This serenity shines in his singing.

Born in 1958 in Laiatico near Pisa, Bocelli's parents grew olives and wine grapes on their farm. His father also sold farm equipment. His mother who refused to pity him on account of his blindness raised him with 'no mercy and no lies’according to her interview at the Italian magazine, Oggie.He achieved a difficult doctorate in Law by studying his document in Braille but he loved singing and that was always his true ambition. The young Bocelli worked as a lawyer but he wanted to continue with his singing lessons so he sang in piano bars at night.

The opera singer met his future wife at one of these piano bars. He was 30 and she was just 17. She fell in love with his voice before even meeting him. Happily married, they now have two sons.

It wasn’t until Bocelli was 34 that he began to be successful at singing. The great Pavarotti heard him sing on a demo-tape. Impressed with his voice, Pavarotti asked the rock star, Zucchero to take him on tour.

Bocelli entranced audiences and his first album, Romanza, sold extremely well. He appeared on a PBS special which was also very successful and he often tours America.

He began with pop music but then debuted in opera, which he greatly prefers, although he usually sings in concerts rather than starring in operas. Bocelli is very proud that there are often young children in the audience when he sings opera. He wants the young to realize the beauty and magic of classical music.

His voice is not regarded highly by some critics, however, but he doesn’t worry about what they think and he doesn’t need to. He has sold over fifty-five million albums and has even been tipped as the successor to the late Pavarotti. He said in an interview with Amazon.com that: "When you are on the top there will always be somebody who will criticize you. The only thing that really matters is the people and the support of those who love you."

Bocelli’s greatest hits will be released in October. The Best of Andrea Bocelli – Vivere will include his famous duets, Time To Say Goodbye with Sarah Brightman and The Prayer with Celine Deon, and many of his best-loved songs, such as Because We Believe. Guests will include Laura Paussini and David Foster. This is just as likely to be a stunning success as his other records!

by Lisa-Anne Sanderson
www.webwritereditor.com

Born in 1958 in Lajatico near Pisa...

Could that be Laiatico? I couldn't find Lajatico in my Michelin road atlas of Italy.

Thank you for the informative write-up. I bought his first CD, Romanza, shortly after it came out and I enjoy it.

Other Italian singers that I have added to my collection are Eros Ramazzotti, Amedeo Minghi and Laura Pausini. Mom has all the Pavarotti and Three Tenors CDs and videos.

Its been just over a month since Luciano passed away. I was thinking about him as I was in the driveway washing one of my motorcycles. I could hear his voice in my head. The next time I'm there, I hope/plan to make it to the cemetary where his is buried. I happened to drive through Montale Rangone in June of 2006 while on my way to Livorno.

Hello Traveller,

I'm glad that you enjoyed the post. You are right about Andrea's birthplace and I will edit my article. I am sorry about the mistake.

It's a lovely idea to make a pilgrimage to Pavarotti's grave. I was quite upset about his death and tears were in my eyes for most of the day. I hope that you go there soon.

Best Regards,
Lisa

Hello Traveller,

It's a lovely idea to make a pilgrimage to Pavarotti's grave. I was quite upset about his death and tears were in my eyes for most of the day. I hope that you go there soon.

Best Regards,
Lisa


I'll be there next June as I am every year. Whether I get down to Montale Rangone, I don't know. I just happened through there in 2006 while on my way to Livorno to catch the ferry to Corsica.

Its not an area that I like to ride in because from Verona to just south of Modena, the roads are straight and flat which equates to boring if you ride motorcycles.