WOULD LOVE TO EXPLORE BOLLYWOOD: MATTEO BOCELLI

Italian singer-songwriter Matteo Bocelli, the youngest son of global legend and opera singer Andrea Bocelli, is on his first visit to India.

The 25-year-old is in Mumbai for the first time and is there “for a special project”. He’s working on a new song called Amore alongside music director, singer and composer Amaal Mallik and singer-sister duo Prakriti and Sukriti Kakar.

“I’ve wanted to visit India since I was a young, and now the stars have finally aligned, and I’m overjoyed to finally be here,” he tells us.

Matteo, a graduate of the Conservatory of Lucca in Tuscany, began his musical journey as a child. He began learning the piano at the age of six, but he preferred to sing alone for many years. Only in 2015 did he consider sharing his talent with others other than his family. Matteo made his stage debut at the Colosseum (Rome) at the age of 18 with Leo Nucci and Sumi Jo, singing Verdi.

Ask him how well-versed is he in the Indian music scene, and he responds, “Not nearly as much as I’d like! I’d like to explore the Bollywood scene.”

Aside from that, Matteo is excited to travel around the country, which he claims embodies the best of culture, history and tradition. “I’m looking forward to trying out some local foods, meeting likeminded people in the music and entertainment industry, and touring to see some iconic landmarks in and around Mumbai,” Matteo says.

His father, Andrea Bocelli, has recorded 15 albums of pop and classical music, including three greatest hits albums and nine complete operas, selling over 75 million records

My dad always let me follow my dreams, regardless of family name. MATTEO BOCELLI, Singer-songwriter

worldwide. If there was a pressure to live up to the family name, he says, “I wanted to pursue music for myself, and my dad always let me follow my dreams — regardless of the family name! He certainly never expected this (music) to become a family business.”

Quiz if the audiences will ever get to see both of them collaborate with an Indian musician, and Matteo shares, “That’s a very interesting idea. Who knows what the future will hold?”

Other than music, Matteo is set to make his acting debut in Three Thousand Years of Longing, alongside Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton. “I immensely enjoy acting but am still very much in the exploratory stages of,” he ends.