Current:Home > ContactAndrea Bocelli on working with Russell Crowe, meeting the Kardashians and new concert film -Elevate Profit Vision
Andrea Bocelli on working with Russell Crowe, meeting the Kardashians and new concert film
View
Date:2025-04-12 11:48:05
Pop quiz: What do Ed Sheeran, Russell Crowe, the Kardashians, Sofia Vergara, Johnny Depp and Will Smith have in common?
All of the aforementioned celebrities, and many more public figures, appear in a new concert film celebrating Andrea Bocelli's 30th anniversary in music. The three-day concert took place in July and was attended by over 30,000 people at an outdoor amphitheater in Tuscany. Bocelli teamed with director Sam Wrench, who directed Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" movie, for his film. "Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration" receives a theatrical release this weekend.
The tenor has three children, all of whom appear in the film. So of course he's aware of the global phenomenon that Swift and her "Eras Tour" became.
"Virginia and Matteo went to Taylor Swift's concert in Milan," Bocelli, 66, reveals to USA TODAY before adding with a laugh, "and they told me every detail, of course."
Both Virginia, 12, and Matteo, 27, accompanied their father to the Academy Awards earlier this year. Bocelli kicked off a year-long celebration of his anniversary in music with a performance of "Time to Say Goodbye" alongside his son during the Oscars' In Memoriam segment. For the performance, Bocelli reimagined the song with Matteo and two-time Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
For "Andrea Bocelli 30," the singer shared the stage with two Oscar-winning actors in Crowe and Smith. The "Gladiator" actor performed "Take This Waltz" with the tenor. Smith took the stage with a spoken-word rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone." Bocelli met both for the first time during the concert.
"Beautiful," Bocelli recalls of the performance with Crowe, "because he was very excited. Me too." And the tenor believes the audience in Tuscany also felt that same emotion.
Kim and Khloé Kardashian also appear in the film, receiving flowers from Bocelli at the stage. Then in a scene taped away from the amphitheater, the sisters reflect on Bocelli's accomplishments. A common theme throughout the piece is the idea that the tenor's career is defined not just by his nearly 90 million albums sold, but the way in which he's represented both Italy and classical music throughout his three-decades in the public spotlight.
"You shouldn't take anything for granted," Bocelli says of the compliments, before using an Italian expression with the help of a translator. "The reality of my life has superseded, has gone beyond every expectation of life."
Bocelli, who became completely blind at 12, was encouraged by his father to pursue music in the United States. Now in "Andrea Bocelli 30," he passes down that gift to his three children. In one scene his son Amos, 29, chats with Queen's Brian May. Amos studied piano but is now pursuing a career in spacial engineering. He and the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer were able to strike common ground: in addition to his music, May is an astrophysicist.
May also joined Bocelli on stage, performing Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever." Bocelli is certainly not focused on the end: he just released a "Duets" album that featured both previously recorded songs and new collaborations. Bocelli will also play 10 shows across the U.S. this December, with additional dates across the country announced for February and June of next year.
But when asked about his music living on forever, he offers a succinct observation.
"I try to inspire peace and serenity. This is my goal."
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- 'American Fiction' review: Provocative satire unleashes a deliciously wry Jeffrey Wright
- Nursing baby giraffe dies after being spooked; zoo brings in grief counselors for staff
- Tennessee governor grants clemency to 23 people, including woman convicted of murder
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Hague court rejects bid to ban transfer to Israel of F-35 fighter jet parts from Dutch warehouse
- No room at the inn? As holidays approach, migrants face eviction from New York City shelters
- Arizona’s governor is sending the state’s National Guard to the border to help with a migrant influx
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Storm system could cause heavy rain, damaging winds from N.J. to Florida this weekend
Ranking
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- New York City-based comedian Kenny DeForest dead at 37 after being struck by car
- Dramatic life change for Tourette syndrome teen after deep brain stimulator implanted
- RFK Jr. faces steep hurdles and high costs to get on ballot in all 50 states
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Shipping companies announce crucial deadlines for holiday shipping: Time is running out
- Nursing baby giraffe dies after being spooked; zoo brings in grief counselors for staff
- What's the best dog breed? Survey shows each state's favorite type of pup
Recommendation
Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
Federal judge denies cattle industry’s request to temporarily halt wolf reintroduction in Colorado
What's the best dog breed? Survey shows each state's favorite type of pup
Chargers fire head coach Brandon Staley, GM Tom Telesco. Who is interim coach?
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Mexico closes melon-packing plant implicated in cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak that killed 8 people
Guidelines around a new tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel is issued by Treasury Department
One fourth of United Methodist churches in US have left in schism over LGBTQ ban. What happens now?