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One of the most well-known tenors of our time, Andrea Bocelli was born on September 22, 1958, in the charming hamlet of La Sterza, Tuscany, Italy.
Due to his congenital glaucoma, Bocelli’s vision impairment was a defining characteristic of his early years. His mother Edi Bocelli bravely chose to give birth to him in defiance of medical advice; this decision had a significant impact on his outlook on life and his activism against abortion.
Early Life
From an early age, Bocelli found comfort in music as he grew up in the loving embrace of his family’s farm. His mother saw that he found solace in music, and at the age of six, he started taking piano lessons. Despite being blind, Bocelli’s love of music continued to grow, and he picked up skills on the flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, and drums, among other instruments. His early exposure to Franco Corelli records sparked his ambition to become a tenor.
Tragically, at the age of twelve, Bocelli had a football accident that resulted in his total blindness. He had a cerebral hemorrhage after taking a blow to the eye while playing goalie in a game. Doctors tried everything, even unusually using leeches, but Bocelli never recovered from his blindness. Despite this severe setback, he persisted in pursuing his passion for music.
Singing was Bocelli’s early passion, and he sang for the first time in a tiny community close to his birth. At the age of 14, he won a song competition at the Margherita d’Oro in Viareggio with “O sole mio,” showcasing his extraordinary vocal prowess.
Education
Despite being blind, Bocelli was adamant about continuing his schooling. He graduated from high school in 1980 and enrolled at the University of Pisa to pursue a legal education. He would later influence his creative career by performing in piano bars in the evenings to sustain himself financially. In 1987, he met Enrica, the woman who would become his wife, at this period.
Bocelli persisted in striking a balance between his growing musical career and his schooling. Audiences were drawn to his commitment and skill, and he became well-known for winning neighborhood singing competitions and enthralling listeners with his enticing voice.
Career
Andrea Bocelli’s life changed drastically in 1994 as he performed “Il mare calmo della sera” to win the 44th Sanremo Music Festival’s novice category. His fast ascent to stardom began with this, and in the fifteen years that followed, he has made fifteen solo studio albums in the pop and classical genres.
Bocelli has had a huge influence on the music industry. With hits like “Romanza” and “Sacred Arias,” he broke sales records and has sold over 75 million copies worldwide. His ability to successfully blend mainstream and classical music has made him a crossover phenomenon with worldwide chart-topping success.
In 2006, Bocelli was honored as a Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. His significant contributions to live theater were recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010. The year 2022 brought further recognition, with Bocelli receiving a gold medal for Merit in Serbia.
Who is Andrea Bocelli’s Girlfriend?
Andrea Bocelli Is happily married. He has three children, Amos and Matteo with his first wife, Enrica Cenzatti, and Virginia Bocelli with his current wife, Veronica Betti.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Bocelli
https://www.classicfm.com/artists/andrea-bocelli/children-matteo-amos-virginia-age/
