Current:Home > NewsAndrea Bocelli on working with Russell Crowe, meeting the Kardashians and new concert film -Secure Growth Academy
Andrea Bocelli on working with Russell Crowe, meeting the Kardashians and new concert film
View
Date:2025-04-18 01:00:14
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! (1)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- The Delicious Way Taylor Swift Celebrated the End of Eras Tour's European Leg
- Chris Pratt's Stunt Double Tony McFarr's Cause of Death Revealed
- North Carolina elections board OKs university ID on phones for voter access this fall
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Beloved 80-year-old dog walker killed in carjacking while defending her dogs
- 'Backyard Sports' returns: 5 sports video games we'd love to see return next
- Government: U.S. economy added 818,000 fewer jobs than first reported in year that ended in March
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Real Breakup Date Revealed
Ranking
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Paris Hilton looks through remnants from trailer fire in new video: 'Burned to a crisp'
- Why Princess Diaries' Heather Matarazzo Left Hollywood for Michigan
- Democrats get a third-party hopeful knocked off Pennsylvania ballot, as Cornel West tries to get on
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Democrats set their convention roll call to a soundtrack. Here’s how each song fits each state
- Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Real Breakup Date Revealed
- Orson Merrick: A Journey Through Financial Expertise and Resilience
Recommendation
The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
3 people charged after death of federal prison worker who opened fentanyl-laced mail
Throwing the book: Democrats enlarge a copy of the ‘Project 2025' blueprint as an anti-GOP prop
Jill Duggar Gives Inside Look at Jana Duggar's Wedding to Stephen Wissmann
A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
Harris’ family members are popping up around Chicago this week during the DNC. Here’s who’s who
Stock market today: Wall Street slips and breaks an 8-day winning streak
Experts puzzle over why Bayesian yacht sank. Was it a 'black swan event'?