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Romanza
sold over 5 million copies in Europe alone and was a great stylistic improvement from Bocelli, Viaggio
Italiano, and other earlier albums, all combinations of contemporary pop and classic Italian songs (mainly from the 19th century) mixed with a few very well known traditional folk songs.
Romanza
confirmed Bocelli's artistic status and emphasized his vocal contribution to the immortal Italian melodramatic tradition. This lighthearted genre is often confused with the classical style of what
we know as "real" opera singers. Sogno, Bocelli's latest album, is expected to be a grand slam. But the
ever-modest singer has his doubts.
Amazon.com: We heard of you in Italy, for the first time, in 1990. Did you expect you'd be such a big success in such a short period of time?
Andrea Bocelli: I've never expected something from life. When I was young I used to say to my parents: "I wish to be a good son." When I married my wife and had my two babies I told her: "I wish to be a good husband and a good father." To my fans: I hope to be the right singer they are looking for.
Amazon.com: You may have predicted that your own country would love you, but what about the international market? How do you explain your massive appeal?
Andrea Bocelli: I could have never predicted such big love even from my Italian fans! I can only say what a wonderful job everyone has done in Italy and the U.S. and thank them for believing in me.
Amazon.com:
"Partirò" is still your most famous performance. What is the story behind it?
Andrea Bocelli: "Con te Partirò" was written especially for me by Lucio Quarantotto. Mrs. Caterina Caselli Sugar asked him for a large "aria"
with a pop characteristic. I'm very happy for Lucio, he is a very talented writer. He never had the success he deserved as a songwriter--his two albums in the '80s bombed--but Caterina continued
to encourage him. He has contributed two new songs to Sogno: "Come un Fiume Tu" and "Canto Della Terra."
Amazon.com: Do you compare yourself to great maestros like Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo?
Andrea Bocelli: No! [laughing] You can't imagine how many times I have to answer this question. It's easy to make the comparison if you are not a fine listener. I cannot compare myself with such big status symbols of classical singing. I have a classical background, but I have so much to learn. Still, I would love to keep having my own place under the sun.
Amazon.com: You have been criticized by some professional music critics for your vocal technique and your unusual approach to classical singing. Are you aware of these critics?
Andrea Bocelli: When you are on the top there will always be somebody who will criticize you. The only thing that really matters is the people and the support of those who love you.
Amazon.com: Do you consider your
albums classical? Or pop?
Andrea Bocelli: Sogno is a pop album. I'll have a classical album in late spring. It will be called Sacred Arias with Zubin Mehta directing the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. But that is completely another story. Nothing to do with pop music.
Amazon.com: Do you think your blindness has given you more sympathy with audiences and critics? Does it matter?
Andrea Bocelli: Beethoven was deaf and wrote such fantastic music. I can assume people have a certain kindness to me and pay much more attention to me than to other singers, but I wish to be considered for the songs I sing. I have always tried to live a good life, not caring too much about such things. I will do my best to help those who are in a similar situation as mine and haven't had the luck I'm having, talented or not!
Amazon.com: What is your favorite song that you sing?
Andrea Bocelli: "Mai Più Così Lontano" was written by Mauro Malavasiand; it is a precious song to me. It is dedicated to my father, who is dying. It's nothing more than a letter to him trying to find consolation in a discouraging moment.
Amazon.com: What is your favorite song on this new album?
Andrea Bocelli: I'm particularly proud of "Come un Fiume Tu," a song written by the great movie composer Ennio Morricone with words by Lucio Quarantotto. But--I want to tell you something very private--for a few days I wholly rejected the new album. I had been sure of the project and am again, but I've just been involved with it for too long. Now that it is finally out of my hands I feel relieved. Sogno is about life. Everybody's life. It's a simple message. And strength is the theme of the whole album; strength that overcomes the difficulties of life, the immensity of sufferings with the strength of believing in one's own capabilities. Surviving nowadays is a difficult task, so you can imagine how hard it will be in the future. You need strength and a dream to go ahead in your life.
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