Andrea Bocelli

Incanto shows Bocelli at his maximum splendor in terms of voice and power. He delivers these songs with his heart; it is clear that this music has a special meaning for him. The music selection is mostly about classic Italian songs that have been performed by many of Andrea's favorites in the past. Unless you never heard Italian music before, you will recognize at the very least "Funiculi Funicula", "Voglio Vivere Cosi", and "O Surdato "Nnamurato". These are all very nice songs, and are however, the weakest point of this album, because of their predictability. Andrea makes use of his "opera" voice during most of the songs. While this adds to the overall greatness of the CD, it resents the wonderful emotional "rollercoasters" that he can create with his voice in other popular songs (like "Mi Manchi", "Domani", "L'Abitudine", and so many others). Overall, this is a great CD, extremely enjoyable, although it will probably not become everybody's favorite.

Andrea has just turned 50 last september.
To celebrate the date, Andrea has released a new CD with only "love" songs.
The album is a mix of Italian/Spanish and Neapolitan popular love songs.
His latest record is called "Incanto", which means "enchantment" in Italian but has a suggestion, too, of "cantare", meaning to sing, and "bel canto" ("beautiful singing"), the lyrical singing tradition in which, on this album, Bocelli locates himself.
The choice of songs gives us a chance to see what Andrea can do - and he does it well. Although I am not crazy about this material , the versatility of Andrea Bocelli's voice is obvious. There are a duet on the CD on the track "Era Di Maggio (in Italian for "It Was May") with Anna Bonitatibus, and also Andrea's partner, Veronica Berti, makes a cameo appearance on the opening track, "Un Amore Cosi Grande" (in Italian for "Such a Great Love"). Veronica Berti, even makes a cameo appearance on the opening track, "Un Amore Cosi Grande".
"This is a record that originates from my earliest childhood", he says. "That was the time I really found a passion for opera, but above all I was passionate about the great voices. It was through my passion for voices that I discovered my passion for opera, not the other way around".
By "great voices", he explains, he means the world-famous tenors produced by Italy in the early- to mid-20th century: Caruso, Beniamino Gigli, Franco Corelli and the like. "All these great tenors of the last century had an extraordinary passion for songs," he continues, "and in particular for songs derived from opera, known as 'la piccola lirica' or 'little opera'."
"These are the hoary old favourites with which Bocelli has filled Incanto: "Funiculì Funiculà", "Un Amore Così Grande", "Mamma", the old Neapolitan favourites "'O Surdato 'Nnamurato"and "Torna a Surriento ( a huhe hit by Elvis Presley with the title "Surrender"). And recorded with the sort of old-fashioned brassy arrangements.
The result is an album that will no doubt be dismissed by snobs as Bocelli once again "warbling his way through the Shmaltzmeister's Songbook" - as a recent critic described him, less "bel canto" than "can belt out".
Yet it is an album in which, after all the dalliances and collaborations of his past albums, Bocelli declares his true love.
It is an uncompromising work, and as such it will be interesting to see whether it repeats the success of what he has done to date.
Because operatic bellowing giving way suddenly to husky intimacy has always been part of the Bocelli-Cola formula. And now he wants none of that. "When you sing using a microphone, the mic is like an ear". "It's like singing in a baby's ear. It's a completely different way of expressing oneself. In this way there is no 'arte del canto', no 'art of song'. And it's a pity to lose it."- Peter Pophan
His voice, phrasing, and control are all superb. The orchestrations are good and the Milano Orchestra Sinfonica Giuseppe Verdi does a fine job.
"Incanto" is a good place to start if you are thinking about adding Andrea Bocelli's music to your collection.
This album has something for everybody.
Its range is wide indeed, from Neapolitan love song to pop ballad.
This is very much a well-trodden path, nothing startlingly new, and plenty more of the tried-and-tested formula. Bocelli's beautiful voice is complemented by swooning strings, lush orchestration and gloriously cheery tempi, conjuring the Mediterranean Sea, lemon trees and a large dollop of "la dolce vita" and italian design (check the Vespa in the back ground of the front-cover and..I bet you he wears an Armani suit) straight into your living room.
The album may be a little obvious, and certainly it is not his best, but it shows that he has a grand set of lungs, vocal agility, a sense of direction, a sense of purpose and confidence and, most of all, a great sense of 'Italian Style'.
Highlights: "Mamma", "Because", "Un Amore Cosi' Grande" and "Funiculì Funiculà".

Pavarotti's Greatest Hits
The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere

This is absolutely the best of Bocelli that I have heard. What a grand collection of songs, and such a voice! Right up there next to Pavarotti!

A voice like Andrea Bocelli's only comes along every generation or so, (if that) Caruso, Lanza, Pavarotti and Now Bocelli; They are my big 4. Not only does Bocelli have wonderful opera skills, but also tremendous pop singing skills, as well. As for classical singing; Bocelli's breath control is amazing; no one holds high, mid, and low notes (sang either intensely or softly) as long as Bocelli does. His diction is excellent; His tone is wonderful; His color is right in sink to the song being performed, dark or light, and all shads around those as needed. He has that tenor ring that can rise up over an orchestra, he sings just beautifully. As for his pop singing again it's spectacular; Bocelli can sing a pop song either in a classical way, or a bluesy way or almost anyway. He has tremendous versatility, I would rank him right at the top of pop singing for all time. Bocelli can sing big, bold, intense and beautiful, or can show us a soft side it seems like he is singing in one's ear, very sweetly and beautiful.

In canto is a CD of classic Italian love songs (Naples) and are many songs that Andrea has loved since childhood and most of us are familiar with. These songs were made famous by the great tenors of the 19th and 20th centuries, . In canto song selection includes Mamma; O surdato 'nammurato , Era di maggio , Un amore cosi grande , Non ti scordar di me; Funiculi Funicula; Granada, Voglio vivere cosi, Santa Lucia, Pulcinella, Non ti scordar di me, Marechiare, Vieni sul mar, Because, E vui durmiti ancora, Amapola, Un amore cosi grande. It is a wonderful selecton and I love the inclusion of Because, which I have heard Andrea sing live many times, It is the best version since Mario Lanza, and belive it or not Bocelli hits an even higher end note. You will enjoy all the songs hear they are wonderfully done.


This is a must have Bocelli CD.

Andrea Bocelli's latest CD can be bought in the Deluxe edition which includes a DVD that is well-worth having. On the DVD, Bocelli is interviewed while in the Teatro San Carlo in Naples - where many of the operatic tenors of the past (Caruso, Gigli, Tagliavini, Pavarotti, Corelli) had their glory moments. He talks of how they affected him as a listener and how he hopes that his renditions of that same repertoire would touch his listeners in the same way. On this CD, however, Bocelli does not sing the heavier operatic arias but the (primarily) Neapolitan melodies where he can bring his considerable gifts to the table. Here we do not have those heavier operatic voices overwhelming the songs by the very power and "heft" of the voice - but rather the lighter voice of Bocelli who serves these songs so well. (And Bocelli also sings "Because" in his improved English - a song recorded once by the superb Franco Corelli whose English version of this song is fall on the floor funny). Bocelli's renditions of these wonderful songs are truly touching - and his take on the Neapolitan melody, "Era Di Maggio" is absolutely sublime. And, while he sings, the DVD takes you to Italy - during the two world wars - where the suffering of the Italian people is heartbreakingly on display...to the heroic rescue by the Americans which forged an endurable bond between the two peoples, still strong and magical to this day. And on to the celebrities who discovered "La Dolce Vita" in Rome during the 50's and 60's - Linda Christian marrying Tyrone Power (which recalls that in his book, "My Wicked, Wicked Ways", Errol Flynn shared that he "discovered" Ms Christian - and told how he wanted to change her name to Fortune - only to realize that he would then have to introduce her as "Miss Fortune"), Ava Gardner, Anita Ekberg, Rita Hayworth and the drop dead gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor - and the home-grown beauties, Gina Lollobrigeda and Sophia Loren, - and the tempestuous Anna Magnani who lost the Director, Roberto Rosselini to Ingrid Bergman who then lost him to the East Indian, Sonali Das Gupta - while Bocelli sings these familiar songs of yesteryear. Really, quite a treat and well-worth the very nominal cost of this deluxe edition.

I love this cd. It is one of his best! Of course I say that about all of his cds. Love "Un Amore Cosi Grande" and of course "Because". Grew up with Mario Lanza, he was born about two towns over from us so it was "local boy does good". Love Mr. Bocelli's music, and his book (autobiography) was excellent too.

Incanto (the deluxe edition) is on par with the very best of recorded sound. Highly recommended listening AND viewing which belongs in everyone's stocking this holiday season. Kudos to Andrea.

A voice like Andrea Bocelli's only comes along every generation or so, (if that) Caruso, Lanza, Pavarotti and Now Bocelli; They are my big 4. Not only does Bocelli have wonderful opera skills, but also tremendous pop singing skills, as well. As for classical singing; Bocelli's breath control is amazing; no one holds high, mid, and low notes (sang either intensely or softly) as long as Bocelli does. His diction is excellent; His tone is wonderful; His color is right in sink to the song being performed, dark or light, and all shads around those as needed. He has that tenor ring that can rise up over an orchestra, he sings just beautifully. As for his pop singing again it's spectacular; Bocelli can sing a pop song either in a classical way, or a bluesy way or almost anyway. He has tremendous versatility, I would rank him right at the top of pop singing for all time. Bocelli can sing big, bold, intense and beautiful, or can show us a soft side it seems like he is singing in one's ear, very sweetly and beautiful.

In canto is a CD of classic Italian love songs (Naples) and are many songs that Andrea has loved since childhood and most of us are familiar with. These songs were made famous by the great tenors of the 19th and 20th centuries, . In canto song selection includes Mamma; O surdato 'nammurato , Era di maggio , Un amore cosi grande , Non ti scordar di me; Funiculi Funicula; Granada, Voglio vivere cosi, Santa Lucia, Pulcinella, Non ti scordar di me, Marechiare, Vieni sul mar, Because, E vui durmiti ancora, Amapola, Un amore cosi grande. It is a wonderful selecton and I love the inclusion of Because, which I have heard Andrea sing live many times, It is the best version since Mario Lanza, and belive it or not Bocelli hits an even higher end note. You will enjoy all the songs hear they are wonderfully done.

The DVD extra on the deluxe edition is nice as well. the making of the album and a nostalgic look back at Naples.

This is a must have Bocelli CD.

I'm not a music expert...I just know what I like and I LOVE this cd! The duet pieces are wonderful. I may not understand the words to many of the songs but I can feel the emotion that Andrea Bocelli puts in them. This is certainly a cd worth having.

As a fan of Andrea Bocelli I was a bit disappointed with this mix of melodies. Oh, the renditions are excellent and his voice is in top form. My only complaint is that one is jolted from one mood to another. A bit of pop, some opera, Spanish traditional... Something for everyone I guess. Not my favorite form. I guess that one really should read labels.

Great selections - Andrea Bocelli's voice grabs your soul. Even non-opera folks (like me) can enjoy over and over and over....

Andrea Bocelli has the most honest, believable voice that reaches the listener and raises all kinds of emotions... and he is not always speaking English.....

Very good LP.
Each song seems to be a character, along with a great storyline.
Bocelli's vocals are perfection, as usual, and wrapped within the walls of the other instruments, this LP is a perfect thing.
It is NOT necessary to understand the lyrics, the delivery does more than speak to you: It creates a mood that reflects the very love that went into the creation of this LP.
Great job and money well spent.
This LP will effect you on a visceral level, it is pure mood.

This is one of the best romantic songs albums I've ever heard.
I really recommend it for anyone who is still in love and would like to stay that way forever.

I own this CD and every time I hear it, I am taking away to another world of lyrics, rhythms, and relaxation. It also brings back memory of my childhood since I grew up listening to most of these songs. The songs were nicely chosen and presented in an harmonic order.

Other thumbs up to Mr. Bocelli!

Although I don't know the languages that Andrea usually sings in, I prefer he not sing in english. And the nod to Elvis on this CD is out of place.

This cd is wonderful, I have fallen deeply in love with Andrea Bocelli! What a gift God has given him with all that talent. Thank God for Andrea Bocelli.

Andrea Bocelli has a voice unlike anyone else. His music is pure. Buy this, you'll love it!

Like many Americans, I was first introduced to the magic of Andrea Bocelli through television. I often find myself still reaching for "Romanza" as a way to relax and take a journey through a musical masterpiece. Though it was recorded over a decade ago, the album has, for the most part, withstood the test of time.

To get the reason for the four-star rating out of the way: several songs on the album do date themselves to the mid-90s. I was never a big fan of the saxophone-driven jazz accompanied by synthesizers that was popular ten years ago, and it is for this reason that I don't give the album five stars. For those who love this style of music, songs like 'E Chiove' and 'Le Tue Parole' will sound fanstastic. And, while 'Caruso' has become a classic in some circles, the song simply isn't my cup of tea.

The rest of the album is, however, timeless. 'Vivo Per Lei' is a stirring duet about the power of music, while 'Il Mare Calmo Della Sera' captures the beauty of the Mediterranean. 'Vivere', since recorded as a dual-language song, is still stirring despite being entirely in Italian. And 'Miserere', the song that launched Bocelli's career, highlights the power of his voice when sung live. (Note: though some reviewers have complained about Zucchero's voice, the version on this album was recorded with John Miles, not the Italian star.)

Then there is 'Con te Partiro', the song that made Andrea Bocelli a household name and, like 'Nessun Dorma' was for Luciano Pavarotti, has become "his" song. While the second version on the album, a duet with Sarah Brightman titled 'Time to Say Goodbye' is stirring, it is the original which captures the power of Bocelli's voice. It is this song that I first heard on television over a decade ago, this song that led me to the voice that has captured the world, this song that still resonates so strongly over ten years later. If you listen to no other Italian-language song in your lifetime, you must listen to this one. It is powerful, emotional, and so beautiful it hurts.

It's easy to love one song by an artist, and while it was 'Con te Partiro' that led me to Andrea Bocelli, it was "Romanza" that made me fall in love with his voice. Celine Dion once said that, "If God had a singing voice, He would sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli." This album is proof of that statement.

As a new listener of his music, I wanted one album that would be representative of Bocelli's distinctively romantic voice and that included my personal fave: "Vivo Per Lei." This album is perfect.

The music is almost to level of chanting for meditation and provides enormous psychological comfort.

This is a used CD, which was definitely stated. However, there is static on it that sounds like loud cracking noises when it is being played. There were also some cracks in the case. But for the price, not a bad purchase.

This is by far one of his best albums, the selection of songs is incredible. I keep a copy in the house and one in the car, it's that good. The duets are amazing and you will likely find yourself trying to sing along with many of them.

For those who think they can't handle classical, pop classical or opera -- this is the ticket to expanding your musical appreciation. For those who love him already, this is a must have.

This is a great DVD/CD for Bocelli. I've watched it many times over and over again. The songs are awesome!!! One of the best ever!!!

Fantastic!! Since his first cross-over CD/DVD, "Under The Desert Sky", I have awaited another such set. I have listened and viewed it many times and it just gets better. One of our most prized operatic voices heard today. The wonderful artists that appeared on stage and performed with him were outstanding. The backdrop of the Tuscany countryside was beautiful and well chosen. I look for more of these entertaining concerts which I prefer over classic opera.

The CD portion was shorter than expected, but the quality of the music/sound is wonderful.
Seeing Bocelli live and in person would be great, but the DVD is the second best thing to it!

Beautiful music, even though CD was scratched. I hope to buy again from a different seller.

The vidiography and the site location couldn't have been more impressive not to mention the choreography of the full program. This was one of my best investments in music. Most of the performers are my favorites and their individual and duet with Bocelli were just dynamite!

from start to finish a wonderfuly dismal and solemn collection of religious arias. Best suited at a funeral or during a serious session of misanthropy and introflection. A definate must have for serious opera fans!!!!!

What a wonderful CD! This is music I will listen to over and over - his voice is amazing!

Better than most of the tenors that have "bigger names" - but he has a pure and clear sound.

This is my second copy of this CD, I burned the first one out!!
Andrea Bocelli has a very gorgeous voice that is a gift from above. His voice is not affected or braggadoccio but naturally magnificent. I could and do start my day listening to this spiritually uplifting CD almost everyday. It is a wonderful way to get off to a pleasant peaceful start, but also a nice way to come home in the evening if you have a CD player in your car. I highly recommend it to all.

Excellent listening. Voice quality and tone is superb. Brings tears to my eyes when I envision listening to this in a church setting.

I heard this CD on a PBS pledge drive (it was a premium) and found myself loving every cut on it! I was in my car and just wanted to keep on driving and listening. This is by far my most-played CD - I've had to make it a weekend only listen to prevent getting burned out on it. HIGHLY recommend it. Even if you are unfamiliar with some of the pieces, you will quickly learn to love them. . . . I must end this review - I'm off to listen to the "flower duet" for the 100th time. . .

I'm new to opera, but this CD has really beautiful music. I use it in my CD clock radio (Timex, that I purchased here also) to go to sleep to.

21 Dec, 2007
The movements in this collection move Me as much as My very bowel. Hence, it might work for your too. Try it, you'll like it if you want to be moved to your very "soul".

Am just discoving the glory of opera. Not all opera, but the arias that make your heart soar. My husband turned away from opera because he was "overdosed" at an early age and it really spoiled his pleasure for life. He's gone now, and I'm discovering what I've missed. This is a wonderful CD and well worth having.

If one was wanting to introduce a friend to the wonderful world of opera, this would be a great cd to buy them. Also at this time when many of us are worrying about Luciano and his health , it is great to hear him featured on many of the selections. A great buy and wonderful collection.

I loved this CD. But then, I have all of Andrea's CD's and could listen to his voice all day long regardless of what he is singing. The DVD was a mite disappointing, but I just wanted to hear his voice.

This admirable compilation includes part of the vast repertoire of this extraordinary and sensitive interpreter that has captivated and engaged the universal admiration all over the world.

In particular Il mare calmo della sera and La voce del silenzio are - to my view- the two most emblematic tracks in this golden album.

What else can be said about this respectable and beloved first-rate artist?

A genuine golden treasure that will enhance your invaluable musical collection.

I loved this music. It is so peaceful and relaxing and also very romantic. If you are a Bocelli fan you will love this CD.

What can you say about Andrea Bocelli that hasn't been said before! His voice is sheer magic! Excellent CD/DVD!!

I have this CD in my car. After a stressful week, I listen to it on my Friday evening commute home. I do not understand Italian, but no need to because Andrea's singing calms me even if I do not know the words...

She truly does a beautiful job singing Enya's "May it Be" from LOTR. Another favorite of mine on this album is "Dell'Amore Non Si Sa", a duet with Andrea Bocelli. Need I say more? You'll enjoy this album.

Haley Westenra has a voice like few others...absolutely pure and haunting. This cd shows her incredible range and clarity of tone. It is a joy to experience. How amazing that she had that "voice" even at age 14 when I first was blessed to hear her sing.

The CD was a gift to my husband who loves it. He listens to it at least once a day. Hayley Westenra has a wonderful voice and the other artist just make it very soothing, very Irish sounding. It isn't like the traditional Irish music with the old standards like Danny Boy.. This one uses some older contemporary songs and some Irish but they all go well together.

Every song is good. Hayley's vocie is so soft and calming.
Never saw blue like that before.
And the water song. I forget the name of it.

I believe that this is one her best recordings. I am especially glad that I chose this version of the the album. It has all of the original tracks on it.