Hearing opera superstars Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman perform Bocelli’s song “Time to Say Goodbye” (also known as “Con Te Partirò”) is a treat for everyone who hears it. The two have performed the song several times over the years and it never fails to make us all emotional when we hear it. However, there’s a fascinating backstory as to how this duet came to be and it all had to do with Sarah Brightman having dinner in the right place at the right time.
But first, a little backstory. A famous boxing champion named Henry Maske was retiring. Maske is known as the German World Light-Heavyweight boxing champion and one of the most endearing things about him was his love of selecting amazing entrance themes for his fighting bouts. As he was retiring, a farewell fight was planned and he was looking for a good entrance theme song. As it turns out, Sarah Brightman is a close friend of Maske, and knew she wanted to be involved somehow. The soprano singer was dining with friends at a restaurant one day when she heard “Con Te Partirò” on the radio in the restaurant.
Sarah Brightman Enchanted by Andrea Bocelli’s “Con Te Partirò”
As you would expect, she was completely entranced by both the song and the singer, who was none other than Andrea Bocelli. Brightman got in touch with Bocelli, and history was made when they performed this song at Maske’s farewell fight in November 1996. Luckily for us, it didn’t end there, however, even though it was a fitting song to sing for a legend’s farewell.
Recording of “Time to Say Goodbye” with Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli
Sarah and Andrea went on to record the song as the duet “Time to Say Goodbye.” When they brought in members of the London Symphony Orchestra, it was nothing short of perfection. What’s not to love? They are two of the greatest singers who have ever lived.
First Performance of Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman Singing “Time to Say Goodbye”
Below, watch that legendary first performance.
Beautiful.