Current:Home > StocksAndrea Bocelli on working with Russell Crowe, meeting the Kardashians and new concert film -Capitatum
Andrea Bocelli on working with Russell Crowe, meeting the Kardashians and new concert film
View
Date:2025-04-14 22:20:05
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! (9568)
Related
- PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Wednesday August 7, 2024
- New York Yankees World Series odds drastically improve after Juan Soto trade
- No reelection campaign for Democratic representative after North Carolina GOP redrew U.S. House map
- House censures Rep. Jamaal Bowman for falsely pulling fire alarm
- Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
- California man arrested for punching 60-year-old pushing a baby, also a suspect in attack of minor
- Jon Rahm is leaving for LIV Golf and what it means for both sides
- Shots fired outside Temple Israel in Albany, New York governor says
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Songwriter Tiffany Red pens letter to Diddy, backing Cassie's abuse allegations: 'I fear for my safety'
Ranking
- Vance jokes he’s checking out his future VP plane while overlapping with Harris at Wisconsin airport
- Panthers TE Hayden Hurst details 'scary' post-traumatic amnesia diagnosis
- Houston has a population that’s young. Its next mayor, set to be elected in a runoff, won’t be
- Unique ways Americans celebrate the holidays, from skiing Santas to Festivus feats
- Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
- Two GOP presidential debates are set for Iowa and New Hampshire in January before the voting begins
- Japan’s leader grilled in parliament over widening fundraising scandal, link to Unification Church
- Target is offering holiday meals again for under $25 for Christmas: What does it include?
Recommendation
Billy Bean was an LGBTQ advocate and one of baseball's great heroes
2024 NWSL schedule includes expanded playoffs, break for Paris Olympics
Some Californians released from prison will receive $2,400 under new state re-entry program
Selena Gomez Debuts “B” Ring Amid Benny Blanco Romance Rumors
Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
McDonald's plans to open roughly 10,000 new locations, with 50,000 worldwide by 2027
Journalists’ rights group counts 94 media workers killed worldwide, most at an alarming rate in Gaza
Climate solutions from the Arctic, the fastest-warming place on Earth