"Soulful" ... "hovering" … "transcendent" ... any variety of adjectives can not fairly describe the voice of Andrea Bocelli. There is a cause the tenor has bought greater than 80 million albums. And there is not only one Bocelli who sings. There's his daughter, Virginia, and his son, Matteo. And now, for the primary time, they've recorded an album collectively for Christmas.
Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli and Virginia Bocelli carry out "The Best Present":
Correspondent Seth Doane met the Bocellis at house as they have been doing a photograph shoot for the duvet.
Doane requested, "Why did you need to do a Christmas album collectively?"
"I believe it is an incredible alternative," Andrea replied, "as a result of we are able to spend time collectively. It is a privilege, I believe."
It is a privilege the youngsters have grown up with. Not each budding musician will get to accompany a world-famous tenor on the piano. Matteo stated, "As you possibly can think about, since I used to be in my mother's stomach, I used to be listening to music. You simply assume, I imply, I bought to do it as effectively if I like it, however perhaps I've to specific myself to everybody after I really feel safer of myself."
Virginia added, "That is the identical for me. As a result of generally I am shy, like, singing with my dad."
"Not now?" Andrea smiled. "It is completed?"
"You are still somewhat nervous even now?" requested Doane.
"Yeah," she stated. "As a result of, , like, he is fairly good!"
He is fairly good – one of many bestselling classical music artists of all time.
At lunch, we met the remainder of his household: eldest son, Amos, an aerospace engineer; and Andrea's spouse, Veronica Berti, who manages a lot of his profession, and their charity efforts: a basis in Italy, and music program in Haiti.
They toasted: "Merry Christmas in July!"
Sure, we met in July. Exterior, it was a seashore day on this ritzy city on the Tuscan coast the place the Bocellis have a house. It was dressed up for Christmas for the duvet shoot, and in-between takes we stored seeing Andrea Bocelli gravitate towards his devices. "As a result of music is a part of my life," he stated. "I knew that my future was music as a result of, since after I was a baby, when arrived in my home the relations, buddies, everybody requested me to sing. 'Sing one thing for us!'"
And it is nonetheless that means, however now he is singing for presidents, popes and queens. And through Italy's COVID lockdown, he sang for the world at Milan's empty cathedral.
However singing was not his authentic profession path. Bocelli, who misplaced his sight as a boy, had been finding out to be a lawyer, placing himself by way of faculty by taking part in in piano bars.
"I started additionally to play the piano bar simply to get some cash, as a result of it was essential for me to purchase my devices, and likewise, above all, to satisfy some stunning lady," Andrea laughed.
Virginia coated her eyes. "I ought to cowl my ears to any extent further," she stated.
The Italian tenor is so typically seen on the world's grand phases, so it was particular to see him on this a lot smaller venue, at house, playfully teased by his ten-year-old.
"He listens to opera so much," Virginia stated. "So generally, like, I get up within the morning to, like, Caruso! I am like, 'It is 7 within the morning, return to mattress!' Generally my dad will get pissed off as a result of I hearken to, like, pop music, and Dad's like, 'What is that this noise?'"
However Andrea himself has embraced pop music, teaming up with among the business's greatest stars, resembling Ed Sheeran …
… whereas bringing opera to new audiences.
Doane requested, "How do you be taught new music?"
"I examine so much," Andrea replied.
"What are the mechanics of studying? Is there a Braille for studying music?"
"Like everybody, it is one other language. However the outcome is identical."
Matteo stated, "The strategy of the Braille is somewhat bit completely different in comparison with the classical, ."
"It is prefer to say one thing in English and in Italian," stated Andrea. "On the finish, the idea is identical."
Bocelli might be touring the world with Virginia and Matteo, performing within the U.S. beginning subsequent month. He is wanting to share his highlight. Whereas it supplies clear benefits for his youngsters, there may be that added strain, in line with Matteo: "A part of this being the son of, is that you simply can not actually make errors. I used to be fairly shy after I was little, so I used to be singing extra in entrance of my mother and fewer in entrance of my father. After which I had at 18 this stunning likelihood to make a duet with my father. And that is the place I noticed that this ardour was one thing greater."
They recorded "Fall On Me" collectively in 2018.
Doane requested Andrea, "You've got sung loads of duets with very well-known musicians, singers. How completely different is it so that you can sing together with your youngsters?"
"You'll be able to lie!" Virginia interrupted.
"No, it is a fully completely different expertise," Bocelli laughed.
Matteo stated, "I reply for him, and say that from us there's nothing to be taught. However for positive there is a good connection."
We bought to see that connection this summer time … a ardour for music and performing that is been handed right down to a brand new era.
For more information:
- andreabocelli.com
- Album: "A Household Christmas" by Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli and Virginia Bocelli
- U.S. tour information
Story produced by Mikaela Bufano. Editor: Brian Robbins.