Of all the different types of music, opera is perhaps the most common type that listeners either love or hate. In recent years, however, a number of performers have released songs that move opera more towards the mainstream. These performers include the band Il Divo and soloists Russell Watson, Katharine Jenkins and, of course, Andrea Bocelli.
Andrea Bocelli has become a well-known name across the pop and classical music scene. However, he has also been prolific in regards to creating duets with his family and other superstar musicians. The video below is perhaps his most adorable creation though, singing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah with his, at the time, 8-year-old daughter, Virginia.
Andrea Bocelli began his rise to fame when his demo tape was heard by the legendary Luciano Pavarotti. Since then he has released 9 complete operas, 15 solo albums and three greatest hits albums. These albums have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide. He has also received 20 music awards, has his own star on the Hollywood walk of fame and, in 1999, was named in People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People.
Andrea met his second wife Veronica Berti in 2002 not long after his divorce from his first wife Enrica with whom he has two sons. Veronica was made CEO of Andrea’s currency management office a few years later and helped him found the Andrea Bocelli Foundation in 2011. The foundation’s mission is to “empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, distress due to illness and social exclusion by promoting and supporting national and international projects that promote the overcoming of these barriers and the expression of their full potential.”
Veronica also gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Virginia, in 2012. Amazingly, in the midst of what must have been an incredibly hectic time in their lives, the couple found time to perform this beautiful duet. Andrea was recording the male part of Qualche Stupido which is an Italian song based on the enduring and beloved classic “Somethin Stupid”. The American version has been covered many times but the best-known version is the one performed by Frank and Nancy Sinatra in 1967.
Once Andrea’s part was recorded they began to look for a female partner. Andrea mentioned Veronica could sing and that is how one of the most beautiful duets in history was born. The pair went on to perform at an intimate concert. They sat together at a dinner table on cobbled stones as if they were enjoying a romantic dinner. Their voices combined beautifully with their love clearly showing through in their performance.
In a wonderfully sweet and tender moment, Veronica took her husband’s hand and led him forward to stand in front of the audience. The crowd was visibly moved and many were singing along to this classic song. The duet ended with Andrea and Veronica sharing a kiss to the delight of the audience.
If you want watch more from this incredible legendary singer, subscribe to his YouTube channel or follow his Facebook page.