Singing superstar Andrea Bocelli is an opera tenor from Italy who is also a multi-instrumentalist. In spite of his worldwide success, his beginnings in the music industry were just as humble as those of most other recording artists. Bocelli got his start competing in singing contests and performing in piano bars in the evenings to pay the bills.
However, his first rise to fame happened in 1994, when he won the preliminary round performing “Miserere” at the 44th Sanremo Music Festival. He has recorded an impressive number of solo studio albums, 15 in total. He has also recorded nine complete operas and three greatest hist albums. Worldwide, he has sold more than 75 million records. Even better, he has played a huge role in bringing classical music into the mainstream, with some of his songs landing at the top of pop charts internationally.
His album “Sacred Arias” is the best-selling classical album by any solo recording artist in history. When he recorded “Si” in 2019, it became the number one selling album on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and the U.K. Albums Chart. “Si” is officially his first number one album in both the U.K. and the U.S.
Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion Singing “The Prayer”
When he recorded “Con te Partiro,” which is on his “Bocelli” album, it became one of history’s best-selling singles. When it comes to accolades, Bocelli has had his share of nominations. When he performed “The Prayer” with Celine Dion for “Quest for Camelot,” it won the Best Original Song award at the Golden Globes. “The Prayer” was also nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Original Song. He was nominated in 1999 as the Best New Artists in that year’s Grammy Awards.
Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman: “Time to Say Goodbye”
One of his most popular songs is “Time to Say Goodbye,” which was originally intended as a song of farewell to a boxer named Henry Maske, who was a friend of singer Sarah Brightman. Brightman performs the song with Bocelli.
Andrea Bocelli on Sesame Street Singing “Time to Say Goodnight” with Elmo
Below, watch Bocelli sing “Time to Say Goodbye” with Elmo of “Sesame Street.” However, he re-phrases it to “Time to Say Goodnight.” This baby’s emotions are all over the place, just as ours are when we hear the great Bocelli sing.
We’re moved, too, little one. Beautiful.
