Bocelli has recorded 15 solo studio albums of both pop and classical music, three greatest hits albums and nine complete opera. For his latest release Si, he has teamed up with some of the hottest musical stars on the planet – reuniting with his friend Ed Sheeran after their chart-topping Perfect Symphony on a brand new song called Amo Soltanto Te (written by Ed with lyrics by Tiziano Ferro) and joining with pop sensation Dua Lipa on the single If Only. Crossover superstar Josh Groban and classical soprano Aida Garifullina also duet with Bocelli on the record. It is his first album of new material in 14 years – 16 brand new songs which celebrate love, family, faith, and hope.
At the centre of the new record is a spine-tingling duet between father-and-son, as 20-year-old Matteo Bocelli steps into the limelight to duet with Andrea on Fall On Me – a beautifully poignant song which reflects the bond between parent and child. Andrea explains how his voice compares with Matteo’s: “Technically they are very different, but there is one thing that makes them most similar: the attitude. That characteristic way of expressing yourself through your voice. This makes Matteo and I very similar. But that is something that you cannot learn, that cannot be taught. That is something you are born with.”
Bocelli’s humble manner belies his international status as one of the world’s biggest classical stars – he’s sung for popes, presidents, and royalty, performed in all the greatest concert halls and opera houses around the world, and sold 85 million records. He has performed at major international events including the Olympic Games and the World Cup, as well as his own sell-out arena shows. He has a Golden Globe, seven Classical BRITs and seven World Music Awards under his belt, plus a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Drawing millions in with his popular crossover appeal, Bocelli has collaborated with a host of A-list pop stars including Céline Dion, Tony Bennett, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Scherzinger, and many more. He also wowed UK football fans with a performance for Claudio Ranieri’s Premier League-winning Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in 2016. Bocelli continues to tour the world with major shows in the US, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and, now, South Africa, where fans will have the opportunity to hear his new music.
Andrea Bocelli is proud to return to South Africa where he will be performing with a full 140-piece symphony orchestra and choir. In Johannesburg, he will perform with the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg and in Cape Town with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. The concert will be split into two parts. For the first part, fans will get to experience Andrea Bocelli perform some of the most famous opera arias. The second part will be dedicated to his most popular hit and crossover songs for a once in a lifetime evening. Matteo Bocelli will also be joining his father to perform the duet Fall On Me.
Tickets go on sale Friday, 25 January 2019 at 9am from Big Concerts and Computicket.
