Andrea Bocelli
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli was born in Lajatico, Tuscany on 22 September 1958. His sight was impaired from birth because of congenital glaucoma. He showed passion for music as a child, and began to learn various musical instruments. By the age of twelve, he had lost his sight completely. He won a song competition at the age of fourteen, studied law in Pisa and made a living by performing in piano bars.
He worked as a lawyer for a year, then came to the notice of Luciano Pavarotti, who used his influence to allow Bocelli to appear on a song recording which became popular throughout Europe. He won the newcomers section in the Sanremo Festival competition, and his career was launched, across various genres including classical, classical crossover and various genres of pop music.
A selection of articles about Andrea Bocelli
Ensemble. The 'Alice in Wonderland' Phenomenon - Frances Forbes-Carbines listens to Andrea Bocelli presented using innovative sound technology to an audience of twenty thousand
Classical music news - Bocelli: Music for Hope - Andrea Bocelli and Emanuele Vianelli performed live from the Duomo in Milan on Easter Sunday
CD Spotlight. A Mixed Bag - Boston String Quartet's 'Xibus', reviewed by Howard Smith. 'What all this signifies is not at all clear.'