Published on Jan 4, 2005
Andrea Bocelli is the epitome of romantic Italian music. Born in
1958 in the Tuscan countryside (lucky man), he says he “lives his
life with calm vision, enjoying life’s simple pleasures.” He grew
up among vineyards and olive groves; a natural backdrop for
romance. His love of Italian opera was encouraged at an early age.
He started playing piano at age six.
Born with glaucoma, he lost his remaining sight in a soccer
accident at the age of 12. It is said that when one sense is lost,
the others become extremely defined and sensitized. Does that count
for the voice too? With Andrea it has indeed proven true; he has
the voice of love. There is no way to more accurately describe his
vocalizations. If the feeling of love could be put into a sound, it
would be the voice of Bocelli.
Sogno is a modern pop album mixed with the music of
traditional Italy. “Tremo E T’amo” expresses this with the thought
“delle rose, del vino e di cose” — “of roses, of wine, of life’s
other joys.” This is a beautiful piece of music. And it expresses
perfectly the Italian ideal of life — to slow down, take time to
experience life rather than just live it.
Bocelli’s heart pours into each and every song and it is at its
strongest on a duet with Celine Dion called “The Prayer.” The
single made a huge swoop across the US as a single, providing many
listeners with their first exposure to this gentleman’s work. The
couple plead for divine protection. The combination of Dion and
Bocelli is mesmerizing and it is an extraordinary cooperative
effort.
“Un Canto” is performed without flaw, both orchestrally and
vocally. Andrea is so strong that the music seems unworthy of his
attention, but he modestly uses it to develop the romantic
atmosphere of the song. “Un Canto” tells the story of two people
blending into one and the love that is shared.
Bocelli is very humble about his talents. But nonetheless, he
has gone platinum in Belgium, Germany, Holland, and Italy even
before becoming popular in the United States. Anyone that takes
honest time to listen to him can’t help but be drawn into a world
of comfort and warmth — he woos you and he makes you feel good
about love again. If you don’t know how to tell a special lady how
you feel about her, let Andrea Bocelli and
Sogno do it for you.