Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli is an internationally acclaimed Italian tenor, renowned for his powerful voice and captivating performances that bridge the worlds of opera and popular music. Born in Lajatico, Tuscany, Bocelli was diagnosed with congenital glaucoma and lost his sight completely at the age of 12 after a soccer accident. Despite this challenge, his passion for music flourished, and he pursued formal training as a tenor while earning a law degree at the University of Pisa.

Bocelli's breakthrough came in 1992 when Italian rock star Zucchero Fornaciari invited him to record a demo of "Miserere," which impressed the legendary Luciano Pavarotti. This led to a series of high-profile collaborations and his debut album, Il Mare Calmo della Sera in 1994, which launched his career as a global sensation. His crossover appeal reached new heights with the release of Romanza, featuring the iconic duet "Time to Say Goodbye" with Sarah Brightman, which became one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Over the years, Bocelli has released numerous chart-topping albums, including Sacred Arias, Amore and Si, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. His repertoire spans classical opera arias, pop ballads, and religious music, earning him fans across generations and cultures. He has performed at prestigious venues like the Metropolitan Opera, the Vatican, and the Grammy Awards, and has performed with artists such as Céline Dion, Ed Sheeran, and Ariana Grande. His latest release, Duets - 30th Anniversary, celebrates these collaborations.

In addition to his musical achievements, Bocelli is deeply committed to philanthropy. Through the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, he supports education, healthcare, and social initiatives, particularly for communities affected by poverty and disaster. His unwavering dedication to his craft and humanitarian work has earned him numerous honors, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In addition, in 2023, Thomas Jefferson University awarded Bocelli an honorary degree in Medicine.

Since 1982, Bocelli has sold over 90 million records worldwide and has generated more than 16 billion streams.