Andrea Interview FEB 2006

xcept · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:28 am Post subject: Andrea Interview FEB 2006

POP QUIZ: ANDREA BOCELLI
Aidin Vaziri

Sunday, February 19, 2006
SOURCE:SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, 48, just might be the most hated man in the opera world. Then again, having sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, he's also made the most headway in drawing pop fans into the symphony hall. His latest album, "Amore," which features his slick interpretations of heart-tugging European standards and includes big-time guests such as Christina Aguilera, Kenny G and Stevie Wonder, is certain to elevate his status even further. When we caught up with him, Bocelli was in the middle of a TV blitz that climaxes with a live performance of "Because We Believe" at the closing ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics next Sunday.

Q: Celine Dion once said, "If God would have a voice, it would be that of Andrea Bocelli."

A: She's very kind and she's a friend of mine, so this is very exaggerated, but I'm happy because I know she loves my voice and appreciates my job. She knows very well how much I study and how many sacrifices I do. For this I appreciate very much what she said.

Q: If God had a voice, whom do you think it would sound like?

A: It's difficult to say. All great voices are a gift of God, so everybody's voice is basically God's voice. All of these great voices have given all of humanity many great gifts at different points in time. So they all speak in the voice of God.

Q: I think to be nice you were just supposed to say "Celine Dion."

A: That would be granted. I wanted to say something new that you wouldn't expect.

Q: It looks like you have some good friends helping out on this album.

A: Also, the repertoire is the same repertoire I performed when I was working in the piano bar before I became famous, so many songs are for me sweet memories.

Q: So if I walked into a piano bar in Italy 20 years ago while you were still in law school, I could have heard this whole album?

A: More or less. Especially the Italian repertoire.

Q: I missed out!

A: But probably now the interpretations are better. Also the orchestration because at the time I played the piano and it was not so beautiful.

Q: And maybe you were a little drunk?

A: No, no, no. Not really. I was very careful in these things. I didn't drink in the piano bar because I don't like liquor. I never drank liquor.

Q: What about your notorious stage fright?

A: Yeah, it's another thing. It's very linked to classical music, I think, because the big respect I have for this kind of music. I study every day, and for this when I go onstage I feel all the pressure.

Q: So the people in the audience don't bother you, it's the music?

A: Yeah, but also because the audience in operatic music knows this course almost like me, so I have to be very careful.

Q: Pavarotti sings with pop stars all the time, and no one says anything. But many opera purists don't like you and are probably going to like you even less after they hear you singing with Christina Aguilera. Do you think that's unfair?

A: No, because I'm convinced it's not important what you sing but how you sing it. If you sing it with your heart, that is the most important thing.

Q: So you don't care what anyone thinks?

A: I care about what people think of me, especially people who follow my work. But, of course, I can't please everyone.

Q: Fair enough. So are you ready to sing at the Olympics?

A: Totalissimo!

novice · Joined: Feb 12, 2006 Posts: 551

Hmm, maybe I am not reading this right but makes me feel as if the reporter could have cared less about getting the interview...am interested to see what others think about this article!