Andrea Bocelli, born in Lajatico, Italy, on September 22, 1958, became an extraordinary musical talent despite being visually impaired. His mother rejected medical advice to terminate her pregnancy due to the anticipated disability, and Bocelli grew up on a farm surrounded by opera music.
Bocelli and Pavarotti performed "Miserere" together, which became a Europe-wide smash hit
The recording was heard by famed tenor Luciano Pavarotti
Bocelli's first lucky breaks came in 1992 when he recorded a demo tape of "Miserere" for Zucchero Fornaciari
started in the the late 1980s
he began performing in piano bars throughout Italy
CHILDHOOD
studied law and later became a court appointed lawyer after graduating from law school
He was only six years old when he began studying piano.
BLINDNESS
owing to congenital glaucoma and a blow to the head while tending goal during a soccer game
has been blind since age 12
BIRTH
Grew up in a farm listening to opera
was born in Lajatico, Italy.
His mother rejected the advice of doctors to abort him on the grounds that he would be disabled.
KNOWN BY
He has performed for four US Presidents, three Popes, the British Royal Family and many world leaders, in venues ranging from NYC’s Central Park and London’s Royal Albert Hall to the Pyramids in Cairo and under the Eiffel Tower in Paris. As one of the most significant artists of our times, he has sold an incredible 80 million-plus albums worldwide.
songs like ''Con te partirò'' ''Vivo per lei'' and ''The prayer'' a duet with Celine Dion.
one of the greatest singing talents in the world today
RISE
He earned Grammy nods for Best New Artist in 1999 and in 2000 for "Sogno" (Best Male Pop Vocal Performance) and "The Prayer" (Best Pop Collaboration).
That same year, Bocelli released his first album in Italy, Il Mare Calmo Della Sera.
Bocelli competed in the Sanremo Festival in 1994. He won the top honors in the newcomers' category.
COLLABORATIONS
Ariana Grande and Nicole Scherzinger
Jennifer Lopez
Nelly Furtado
Placido Domingo
Sarah Brightman
Ed Sheeran
PERSONAL FACTS
He plays piano, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, and drums.
He sings in Italian, French, English, Spanish, Latin and Portuguese.
He has been married twice
WHY I ADMIRE HIM
Because he is a clear example of personal growth, even if he is blind nothing stopped him to learn languages, to play instruments or to become famous and he showed to the world that disabilities aren't a limit for you to chase your dreams and reach your goals!