Family at heart of festive album
OPERA SUPERSTAR TEAMS UP WITH SON, DAUGHTER FOR SPECIAL CHRISTMAS TREAT
For his latest single, Andrea Bocelli collaborated with the songwriting and production team behind hits for The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus and Celine Dion. But the Italian tenor hints that a holier entity might have been deserving of a writing credit, too.
Bocelli has teamed up with his son Matteo, 24, and daughter, Virginia, 10, for a new album, A Family Christmas. The first single, The Greatest Gift, was co-written with hitmakers-for-hire Stephan Moccio, Amy Wadge, and Jonas Myrin.
“For us, making music together, as a family, is a daily routine,” Bocelli says.
“However, in this situation, we are launching this album as a special message.
“As we all know, Pope Francis has repeated many times, the family, as an institution, is under attack at the moment. So it’s important that we give more importance to the family. That’s the message that we want to send to the world.”
Bocelli says the song was “a real discovery”, adding: “The lyrics contain important messages. And this is something that happens in all the greatest songs because you always need a good balance between the lyrics and the music in order to create a masterpiece.”
Matteo says the writing camp was a revelation because their collaborators worked hard to get a sense of Bocelli, his family, and their attitudes.
“They had the chance to be with us and understand our dynamics and our thoughts,” Matteo says.
He says a line in the song – “Gather friends and family around the table. Remember those no longer here” – really touched a bittersweet chord. Sadly, a few months ago, Andrea’s mother, Edi, passed away.
Andrea has worked with Matteo in the past, but says he knew Virginia would step into the spotlight, too.
“Virginia has always shown a passion for music, for singing,” Andrea says. “I remember when she was three years old, she was already singing very loud. Her passion for music was always visible.
“I think Matteo has a great talent, too, and in many ways, his voice is similar to mine. Now it’s up to him to develop and work on his voice … and become a real talent.”
Matteo smiles: “It’s obvious that being raised with his music, and hearing his voice every day, it’s normal that you get some of these colours. At a certain point, you’re gonna get something.”
Beyond performance, Matteo says Andrea is a steady barometer on everything about the music business, good and bad.
“I admire the hard work he puts into everything,” Matteo says. “I admire the love he puts into the music. Growing up, and being in the music industry, he understands how tough it is, mentally, and how to handle the pressures of live shows. He has the right key to solve the problems with calm and patience.”
Andrea Bocelli is an opera superstar, selling 75 million records worldwide.
His album Romanza is one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Bocelli is touring Australia this month, starting in Brisbane next Tuesday, before moving to
Sydney on October 27, Hunter Valley, October 29, Melbourne, November 2, and Perth, November 5.
Away from the touring life, Bocelli lives with his wife Veronica Berti, and family, in Tuscany.
“I have found my balance, and I tried to convey this message to my family,” Andrea says. “When I come home from my career, I get here and close the door. I leave my career outside.
“This is the way that I separate my working life and my family life. This is the way I am. I try to have a different life at home.”
On tour, he keeps a strict regimen to stay match-fit for shows.
“A good singer that has to sing my repertoire is like an athlete,” Andrea says. “I have to lead a very healthy lifestyle, like an athlete would,” he says.
“But unlike athletes, that come to a point of the life where they have to end their career, we singers have the chance to perform to a very late age. So, I keep living a healthy lifestyle.”
Matteo, who will accompany his father on tour, was in Australia two years ago to film a small role in director George Miller’s fantasy drama 300 Years Of Longing. He played Prince Mustafa.
“The experience was beautiful and interesting,” Matteo says. “I was raised in a show business family, but movies are a completely different world. Everything was so new to me.”
He said the biggest challenge was having to ride horses in the film.
“My father loves horses; it’s probably one of his biggest passions, together with music. He always makes fun of me now because I’ve been trying all my life to escape from riding horses,” Matteo says, laughing.
“He always tried to put me on a horse. Then my first experience in a movie was riding a horse.”
A Family Christmas is released today.