With . . . Andrea Bocelli
The Italian tenor will perform here with Delta Goodrem in September. He tells Michelle Duff of his love of New Zealand, The Muppets and Celine Dion.
When was the last time you were in New Zealand? It was 2006, an experience that I keep in my heart. I still remember the warm and affectionate welcoming. My children Amos and Matteo were with me, and we travelled around and discovered the beauties of your land. Usually, I know only airports, hotels and dressing rooms of the places I visit. What is the most difficult song you have ever had to sing and why? Every piece of music has its own difficulties. The challenge is to sing without effort, in order to use voice as an instrument capable of giving the best, reaching the high register or the virtuosities required with the same ease. What are you looking forward to on this tour? What makes it different from others you’ve done? The repertoire will be in large part the one I have always performed, the one of the Italian tenor, for whom so many wonderful melodies have been composed. The first part will be devoted to an exclusively operatic repertoire, then there will be popular romanzas and songs. What does it take to stay relevant in today’s culture? We see your video with a drone flying through a fireworks display went viral. I do not think there are precise winning recipes. In 20 years of my career, the enthusiasm is always the same: give emotions and share the mystery of music. Every audience is able to perceive the emotions that come from the stage, with the desire to share a moment of joy, optimism and peace of mind. How have classical audiences changed over the years? I have a feeling that, globally, the interest in the classical repertoire has increased. And I hope I have given my modest contribution in making it known to a vast and diverse audience. Has it become more popular with younger audiences, now it’s so much more accessible? It is vital that young people have the possibility to approach the classical repertoire. Opera brings into play primary emotions, with such intensity as to break all cultural and generational barriers. You do not need any specific skill to appreciate the wonders of this goldmine. What was it like performing with The Muppets? I must say that I enjoyed it very much. And I have also appreciated the great professionalism that is behind that historical broadcast. Who are your idols/what inspires you musically? My first ‘‘hero’’ was Beniamino Gigli, the hero of passionate stories told to me by an elderly uncle of mine who deeply admired him. In a short time I became fond also of the voices of Mario Del Monaco, Enrico Caruso, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Aureliano Pertile and Franco Corelli. The latter is the hero of the ‘‘coup de foudre’’ that marked my destiny: with Corelli I had the good fortune to study singing. As for the colleagues with whom I was able to work I would say Luciano Pavarotti, a great tenor and friend. In the field of pop, the first name I think of is Ce´ line Dion, an extraordinary professional who really loves her work. If you hadn’t become a singer, what would you be doing? I came to fame late, after working my way up and after many doors had been closed on me. If destiny had had in store for me another kind of existence, working as a lawyer in courtrooms, I would have gladly accepted it. Will you be doing anything special while you’re here? My top priority is not to disappoint the expectations of my public: therefore when I am close to the concert I try to spend my time in isolation, I try to maintain maximum concentration, and I keep a strict silence. After that I hope I will enjoy some hours of relaxation to deepen the knowledge of a land that I have in my heart and that years ago totally bewitched me. Delta Goodrem and Andrea Bocelli will perform at Auckland’s Vector Arena on September 11th. ticketmaster.co.nz