Andrea Bocelli

Biography

Andrea Bocelli was born on September 22, 1958, in Lajatico, a town in the Italian province of Pisa. From an early age, he faced significant challenges, as he was born with congenital glaucoma that severely impaired his vision. A football accident at age twelve resulted in total blindness. Growing up on his family's Tuscan farm, which included a small vineyard, Bocelli developed a deep passion for music and the arts. He pursued formal education, studying law at the University of Pisa, where he earned a degree before briefly working as a court lawyer.

Bocelli's musical journey truly began after he became a student of tenor Franco Corelli. To support his vocal training, he performed in bars and nightclubs, eventually meeting and marrying Enrica, with whom he had two sons, Amos and Matteo. In 1992, Bocelli gained international attention when he was selected by rock star Zucchero to sing on the demo of "Miserere," a song co-written by Bono from U2. His collaboration with Luciano Pavarotti further solidified his reputation, leading to appearances in major concerts across Europe.

In 1993, Bocelli signed with the Insieme/Sugar label, and his career skyrocketed after winning the prestigious San Remo Music Festival. His operatic debut in Puccini's "La Bohème" in Cagliari marked a significant milestone. He released acclaimed albums such as "Aria," which earned him a Grammy nomination, and "Sogno," featuring collaborations with renowned artists like Celine Dion and Eros Ramazzotti. By the 2000s, Bocelli had sold over 70 million records globally and continued to tour extensively. His marriage to Enrica ended in 2002, and he began a new chapter with Veronica Beri, maintaining his status as one of the world's most celebrated tenors.