With his fourth album, Romanza, released in 1997, Bocelli turned to pop music. Although released only in Italy, the album sold more than 300,000 copies. His third effort, Viaggio Italiano, featured famous arias and traditional songs from Naples. In November 1995, Bocelli toured Holland, Belgium, Germany, Spain and France with 'Night Of Proms', which also featured Al Jarreau, Bryan Ferry, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp and John Miles.īocelli's first two albums – Andrea Bocelli in 1994 and Bocelli in 1996 – showcased his operatic singing. In addition to performing solo and in a duet with Pavarotti, Bocelli sang with Bryan Adams, Andreas Vollenweider and Nancy Gustavsson. Successfully passing the audition, Bocelli recorded the tune as a duet with Pavarotti.Īfter touring with Fornaciari in 1993, Bocelli performed as a guest star in the Pavarotti International festival held in Modena in September 1994. Inspired to pursue music, he studied with famed tenor Franco Corelli, supporting himself by performing in piano bars.īocelli's first break as a singer came in 1992 when Fornaciari auditioned tenors to record a demo tape of Miserere, which he had co-written with Bono of U2. Beginning piano lessons at the age of six, he later added flute and saxophone.ĭespite his obvious musical talents, Bocelli didn't consider a career in music until he had studied law at the University of Pisa and had earned a Doctor Of Law degree. Al Jarreau, who sang with Bocelli during The Night of Proms in November 1995, praised Bocelli when he said, 'I have had the honour to sing with the most beautiful voice in the world.' Bocelli grew up on a farm in Lajatico, a rural village in Tuscany. Bocelli has been equally successful as a pop ballad singer, having recorded duets with Celine Dion, Sarah Brightman and Eros Ramazzotti.

Opera, however, represents only one side of his musical persona. His participation in Pavarotti's 1992 hit, Miserere, and Fornaciari's 1993 world tour brought him international attention.

Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a football accident.Ī disciple of Luciano Pavarotti and Zucchero Fornaciari, the blind, Tuscany-born, vocalist has emerged as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary opera. Andrea Bocelli (born in 1958 in Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy) is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist.

Pavarotti and bocelli duet