Andrea Bocelli Albums (19)
'Vivere: Live in Tuscany'
Release Date 1/29/2008
Tracks 53
Label Decca
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Romance con Profundo Amor'
Release Date 8/27/2007
Tracks 29
Label Universal
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Even as "the fourth tenor" has become one of the world's most popular and renowned classical and operatic singers, Andrea Bocelli has been teasing pop fans over the years by recording brilliant duets with the likes of Celine Dion and Sarah Brightman. Who better to helm the Tuscan-born vocal giant's first pure pop album than David Foster, who has made foreign language singing all the rage by introducing the world to Josh Groban? Amore features songs from various musical eras, from the 1920s through the '80s, which Bocelli sings in his native Italian, Spanish, and French. He launches the collection with beautiful Spanish on the tender, soaring ballad "Amapola" and a graceful "Besame Mucho" before introducing his facility for French with the lush, film score-like "Les Feuilles Mortes," which becomes "Autumn Leaves." Foster then unleashes a successful Santana-styled duet approach on the singer, pairing him with Kenny G ("Mi Manchi"), a delightfully torchy Christina Aguilera (on "Somos Novios," which became "It's Impossible") and Stevie Wonder (who adds vocals and harmonica to "Canzoni Stonate"). Purists may balk at such tandems, but pop fans will be enchanted, and Foster handles the productions of these tracks with admirable restraint. Though he covers artists ranging from Edith Piaf to Luis Miguel and Frank Sinatra, the most engaging reworking is a sweet take on "Can't Help Falling in Love," which was recorded live at Lake Las Vegas. In typical Foster's tug-the-heartstrings fashion, the disc closes with Italian and English versions of the inspirational ballad "Because We Believe," but for the most part, this magical effort fully realizes its aim to become a trendsetter for romantic pop in the 2000s. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Following the spiritually flavored Sacred Arias, Andrea Bocelli presents an album of the music of Giuseppe Verdi, covering arias from several operas, leaning heavily on Il Trovatore, La Triviata, and Rigoletto. Supported by the Israel Philharmonic under the direction of Zubin Mehta, Bocelli reprises his role as the crossover-friendly opera tenor, offering his interpretations with capability and grace and warmly embracing the songs with his familiar voice. Opera purists may find Verdi a little off-putting; for example, the album opener, "Di Quella Pira" from Il Trovatore (which serves as the rousing finale to the opera's third act), sounds out of place as the opening track, and Mehta's conducting is adequate but lacks passion. However, the album is not without its charms, and the ballads represented here ("La Donna e Mobile" and "Possente Amor" in particular) are wonderfully suited to his notoriously light tenor. Fans of Bocelli's previous albums should be happy with Verdi, and will hopefully be awakened to the works of one of opera's great composers. ~ Zac Johnson, All Music Guide
