Current:Home > MyAndrea Bocelli on working with Russell Crowe, meeting the Kardashians and new concert film -PureWealth Academy
Andrea Bocelli on working with Russell Crowe, meeting the Kardashians and new concert film
Surpassing Quant Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-08 15:58:48
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! (778)
Related
- Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
- Hilarie Burton Shares Rare Glimpse Into Family Life With Jeffrey Dean Morgan for 15-Year Milestone
- Much-maligned umpire Ángel Hernández to retire from Major League Baseball
- Papua New Guinea landslide killed more than 670 people, UN migration agency estimates
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Veterans who served at secret base say it made them sick, but they can't get aid because the government won't acknowledge they were there
- NFL kicker Brandon McManus sued, accused of sexual assault on 2023 Jaguars flight
- Melinda French Gates announces $1 billion donation to support women and families, including reproductive rights
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Another Outer Banks house collapses into the ocean, the latest such incident along NC coast
Ranking
- NCAA hits former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with suspension, show-cause for recruiting violations
- Severe storms over holiday weekend leave trail of disaster: See photos
- 'When Calls the Heart' star Mamie Laverock placed on life support following 5-story fall
- Much-maligned umpire Ángel Hernández to retire from Major League Baseball
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Boston Celtics now just four wins from passing Los Angeles Lakers for most NBA titles
- More than 2,000 believed buried alive in Papua New Guinea landslide, government says
- The 40 Most Popular Amazon Items E! Readers Bought This Month: Bracelets, Garbage Disposal Cleaner & More
Recommendation
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
How one school district is turning to AI to solve its bus driver shortage
US consumer confidence rises in May after three months of declines
T-Mobile to buy almost all of U.S Cellular in deal worth $4.4 billion with debt
Breaking debut in Olympics raises question: Are breakers artists or athletes?
Who is getting part of Melinda French Gates’ $1 billion initiative to support women and girls
Former mayor of South Dakota town charged in shooting deaths of 3 men
Book Review: So you think the culture wars are new? Shakespeare expert James Shapiro begs to differ