[ ClassicalX ] Andrea Bocelli: 'Only preparation helps my stagefright'

When I began singing it was the first time I was happy in my life. As a baby I would stop crying when I heard a great singer. My mother says that as a young boy I used to sing all the time, but I grew up in a small village where the opportunity to study singing was limited. More difficult still was deciding whether singing was what I truly wanted to do; nobody can be sure of this.

Singing provides a true sense of lightheartedness. If I sing when I am alone I feel wonderful. It's freedom. In front of an audience I suffer terrible stagefright, which I still haven't managed to overcome. I always feel nervous and afraid when going on stage because I know my responsibility to the audience. But they are always so kind and warm toward me that it is beautiful and calming to feel. The only thing that helps me relieve the pressure of stagefright is preparation. I rehearse every day so that I'm always able to do what my audience expects of me.

For me, the most enjoyable type of singing is opera. It allows you to move, to wear a costume ... to do something with your body. When singing in concert you have to stand up in front of the audience, next to the conductor, which is less natural.

Being a tenor is like being an athlete. You can never smoke, or drink and eat too much. It's very difficult, but it's necessary in order to be able to sing well. Also, you have to have great passion, because to sing operatic music requires lots of work. I study for at least two hours every day. The voice is like an instrument and requires constant exercise.

Source: The Guardian