Andrea Bocelli: 20 Things you didn't know about the most successful classical artist of all time

Updated on April 24, 2024

Source: Global Awards

Despite losing his vision at 12, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has become history’s most successful solo classical artist. At the age of 54, his incredible voice and dedication to music earned him an estimated fortune of $100 million.

He’s the best-selling solo classical artist ever, a talented singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has brought classical music to a broader audience. But there’s more to Bocelli than just his incredible voice. Boccelli’s stardom is one for the books as he continues to release classical, award-winning records and teach people that a disability should not define their lives.

From overcoming challenges to using his platform for good, here are 20 Things you didn’t know about the most successful classical artist of all time.

Source: Latin Grammy Awards

Andrea was Born on September 22, 1958, in Lajatico, Italy, to parents Alessandro and Edi Bocelli.

Born with congenital glaucoma, a rare condition affecting roughly one in 10,000 infants, Andrea Bocelli faced challenges from a young age. He spent much of his early childhood in hospitals, where doctors managed to preserve some vision in one eye. However, at the age of 12, a soccer accident caused a brain haemorrhage, resulting in complete vision loss.

As a child, Andrea Bocelli learned to play several instruments like the piano, flute and saxophone. When he was just six years old, he started learning piano, and later on, he picked up the flute and saxophone, too and taught himself how to read music in braille.

Even as a kid, was very talented as; everyone wanted him to sing at family gatherings and school events.

He often attributes his talent and love for music to his parents. He once disclosed that his mother used to play classical music to soothe him during his early glaucoma battle.

Though his parents encouraged him to become a lawyer, Andrea Bocelli’s heart belonged to music. After graduating with a law degree from the University of Pisa, he worked as a court-appointed lawyer. But music remained his passion, and he played the piano in bars to earn money for singing lessons.

In 1992, Andrea Bocelli recorded a demo tape for a song called “Miserere.” He didn’t know it then, but this would be his big break. The recording caught the attention of the famous opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, who convinced another singer, Zucchero Fornaciari, to let Bocelli sing the song with him. Their version of “Miserere” became a massive hit across Europe, launching Bocelli’s career to new heights.

Andrea has released numerous albums throughout his illustrious career spanning several decades. He has released over 20 studio albums, and Bocelli remains an active and prolific musician.

Andrea Bocelli boasts an impressive vocal range, spanning approximately from C sharp 2, considered a low note for tenors, all the way up to D5, reaching into the higher register.

He has a versatile discography. He has released various albums, including pop, classical, and Latin styles. His collection includes a holiday album, several excellent hit compilations, and recordings of his live performances and operas.

Andrea Bocelli’s famous duet with Sarah Brightman, “Time to Say Goodbye,” wasn’t meant for him initially. It was originally written as a farewell song for a boxer named Henry Maske, a friend of Brightman’s. They even performed it together at his last fight in 1996.

Not too long after he performed ‘Time to Say Goodbye, the song became a huge hit, one of the best-selling ever! It broke records worldwide and is now considered Bocelli’s signature song, even though he originally sang it with someone else.

Besides “Time to Say Goodbye,” Bocelli is also known for “The Prayer” with Celine Dion and the song “Nessun Dorma.” He performed “Nessun Dorma” at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert in June 2022.

A movie called “The Music of Silence” came out in 2017. Based on a book by Bocelli, the film tells the story of his life. It explores how his blindness affected his other senses, especially his hearing.

In preparation for the film, Bocelli clarified to Radford that he didn’t want his blindness to be portrayed as a disability. Adding that his blindness doesn’t define his life and debunking the myth about the connection between his lack of sight and his singing.

Apart from music, he owns a wine brand alongside his brother, Alberto. The “Bocelli Family” wine is made with grapes grown on their family farm. This impressive wine has already impressed critics and earned them respect in the wine industry.

The celebrated tenor has garnered many prestigious awards and honours throughout his career, spanning classical, opera, and popular music genres. His most notable achievements are multiple Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist in 1999, World’s Best Selling Classical Artist, Album of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to Music at the BRIT Awards, and a Golden Globe.

Andrea Bocelli with the Hollywood Walk of Fame Award

Source: Wikipedia

In 2006, Andrea Bocelli received a huge honour – the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. This is Italy’s top award for people who make the country proud through their work in the arts, business, public service, and helping others. This award earned him the acronym “OMRI” after his name. In recognition of his phenomenal music career, In March 2010, Andrea Bocelli was also honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard in California.

Andrea Bocelli married his first wife, Enrica, in 1992. They had two sons, Amos and Matteo, before parting ways in 2002. In the same year, Bocelli met Veronica Berti, who became his manager and, later, partner. They welcomed their daughter, Virginia, in 2012 and tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in March 2014.

Andrea Bocelli at the Classic Brit Awards 2018

Source: GettyImages

At only 25, his son, singer-songwriter Matteo Bocelli, is already captivating audiences worldwide with his soulful music and energetic performances. Following in his father’s footsteps, Matteo has been immersed in music his entire life, and his debut album, “Matteo”, reflects his natural curiosity and musical upbringing. In 2018, Matteo Bocelli joined his father, Andrea, for a heartwarming collaboration titled “Fall on Me.” This powerful duet explores the emotional bond between a father and his child.