BocelliOnline

[Melodie]

Tenor with popular touch

By DAVID HINCKLEY
DAILY NEWS FEATURE WRITER

It may still surprise some music fans that Andrea Bocelli, another of Italy's great tenors, continues to fill arenas by mixing arias with popular music.

In fact, it surprised Bocelli, too. At first.

"Don't forget," says the tenor, who'll play Continental Airlines Arena on Monday, "opera always was popular music. At the time many of the classic operas were written, they were the popular music of their day. So it makes sense that some of those songs are still popular now."

Bocelli has been a favorite among New York audiences for several years and was a prominent voice at several post-Sept. 11 concerts. But he says his most memorable New York moment came before Sept. 11.

"It was a concert when the Twin Towers were still there," he says. "We sang by the Statue of Liberty. It was quite beautiful."

At 46, Bocelli has a worldwide reputation and he tries to sing live for as many fans as possible, though that can become grueling.

"It's hard," he says. "With my family in Italy and other commitments, being on the road is difficult. You are always trying to balance your life."

It doesn't help that he doesn't get to enjoy the road as a normal traveler might. Asked if he has favorite restaurants or other spots when he comes to New York, he says no, not really.

"When I am there to perform, I really spend the whole day in preparation," he says. "I would like to have time for those things, but I don't."

Voice maintenance, not surprisingly, is a critical part of being Andrea Bocelli - even more critical than maintaining the wavy hair and the roguish rough beard.

"It's a constant preoccupation," he says through his translator, "from the moment you open your eyes to the last little exercises at night."

He knew from his early childhood that he wanted to sing, he says. He was studying voice by 10 and won his first competition, singing "O Sole Mio," at 12.

"People who say they don't like classical music are generally people who haven't heard it," he says. "The media are also at fault, because they don't display classical music the way they should. But once people are exposed to it, they like it. So many people come to me after my shows and tell me that."

For the future, he figures he still has a lot of singing left. But amid the concerts, he tries to devote great care to his recordings, like his latest popular CD, "Andrea," released last fall.

"I enjoy live performance," he says. "But my recordings are most important because that is what I am leaving to all the people who come after me."

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/297908p-254822c.html

[Bocellifan4ever]

Hello Melodie.
I certainly enjoyed the write-up about Andrea Bocelli. I dearly love his newest cd[ Andrea ].

I love all of his music.
He is sure Blunt and so truthful when he is ask questions about his music and everything. Bocelli said it surprised him too.
Mixing Arias with popular music as Bocelli does,i think it is wonderful.
That is something i never heard of with other performers in Opera.
Have you?

Melodie i saved the picture of Andrea when he performed in NYC while the twin towers were still there before 911.
It is such a wonderful photo of him. Steven Mercurio was his Conductor for that concert.

Voice maintenance, not surprisingly, is a critical part of being Andrea Bocelli - even more critical than maintaining the wavy hair and the roguish rough beard.

Statement Above is what Andrea said and he has beautiful wavy hair and i like his beard and long hair. As he said though,his Voice maintenance is a critical part of being himself.

Thanks Melodie for posting this.
I've been somewhat of a stranger on the forum lately and will try to post more often.

Did you know that Sandi,& Angelo had to go to Italy this past Saturday
and be with Angelo's Papa,& Mamma? They are both very sick. If you go to Sandi's forum you will find her post to everyone about the situation and she is asking for everyone to pray for Angelo's Parents.

Love,& Hug's to you Melodie,& everyone.
Friend Claire.

P.S Melodie i especially liked Andrea's statement at the very end of what he said.
Read below.

"I enjoy live performance," he says. "But my recordings are most important because that is what I am leaving to all the people who come after me."
_________________
Claire B Berlendy