Music review: Andrea Bocelli – 鈥楥inema鈥�
Andrea Bocelli could sing the alphabet over and over and make it sound like an inspired operatic work of art.
It鈥檚 no secret to my friends that his 2009 Christmas album is one of my treasured holiday favorites. For his 15th studio release, the Tuscan-born tenor performs memorable selections from classic films such as 鈥淭he Godfather,鈥� 鈥淪cent of a Woman,鈥� 鈥淥nce Upon a Time in America,鈥� 鈥淒r. Zhivago鈥� and 鈥淏reakfast at Tiffany鈥檚.鈥�
The international superstar鈥檚 first new studio recording in two years features three duets as well as a set of songs performed in five languages. A gorgeous rendering of 鈥淢aria鈥� from 鈥淲est Side Story鈥� opens the album with an elegant blending of lush orchestration and Bocelli鈥檚 engaging and majestic voice.
Bocelli, known for his crossover career that combines classical and pop styles, surprises once again on a touching duet with Ariana Grande on 鈥淓 piu ti penso.鈥� I have to confess, I never saw that one coming. In fact, I had to double check just to make sure that it was indeed Grande鈥檚 sugary pop voice delivering such an impressive performance alongside the beloved singer.
Equally stunning (and surprising) is Nicole Scherzinger鈥檚 partnering with Bocelli on 鈥淣o Llores por Mi Argentina鈥� from 鈥淓vita.鈥� Just like Grande, Scherzinger shows wonderful vocal range as she delivers a passionate offering packed with emotion. Other highlights include 鈥淏e My Love鈥� from 鈥淭he Toast of New Orleans,鈥� 鈥淪orridi amore vai鈥� from 鈥淟ife Is Beautiful鈥� and a very special pairing with his wife, Veronica Berti, on Irving Berlin鈥檚 鈥淐heek to Cheek鈥� from 鈥淭op Hat.鈥�
The set comes to a stirring close with a spirited interpretation of 鈥淣elle tue mani (Now We Are Free)鈥� from 鈥淕ladiator.鈥� Having sold more than 80 million albums worldwide, Bocelli demonstrates once again why he鈥檚 considered the most successful classical solo artist ever.
With 鈥淐inema,鈥� a night at the movies never sounded so good.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.