[ ClassicalX ] Talented Tenor Bridges Opera And Pop Worlds

A disciple of Luciano Pavarotti and Zucchero Fornaciari, blind Tuscany-born opera star Andrea Bocelli has been called 'the fourth tenor' by some.

Though he first came to fame for his part in Pavarotti's 1992 hit, "Miserere," Bocelli has a much broader musical palatte than most opera singers. Equally successful as a puveyor of pop ballads, Bocelli has recorded duets with the likes of Celine Dion, Sarah Brightman, Bryan Adams and Al Jarreau.

Blind since a soccer accident at the age of 12, Bocelli started studying music when he began piano lessons when he was six years old (he later added flute and saxophone to his repetoire of instruments). Though a gifted singer and musician, Bocelli didn't decide to pursue music until after he had already earned a Doctor Of Law degree at the University of Pisa.

Inspired by his studies with famed tenor Franco Gorelli and supporting himself by peforming in piano bars, Bocelli gradually developed the unique talent that has allowed him to move easily between the worlds of traditional opera and pop. Bocelli embarks on a brief tour to promote his latest effort 'Incanto,' a more classically focused release that comes packaged with the DVD 'Incanto The Documentary.'

Andrea Bocelli
Saturday, June 6, 8 p.m. $75.50-$285
HP Pavilion

Source: KTVU.