Adam Sherwin, Media Correspondent
2 for 1 tickets to Singin' In The Rain, this coming Monday. Book now
His brooding looks and unashamedly popular repertoire have helped Andrea Bocelli to sell 60 million records, but the Italian tenor has now admitted that he compromised his natural talent for the rewards of fame.
Bocelli, 49, pioneered the amalgamation of classical and pop styles that helped a wave of operatic singers to cash in on the crossover appeal of the Three Tenors.
Critics despaired of Bocelli's decision to trade singing arias for Can't Help Falling in Love. But the singer, blind since the age of 12, gladly accepted the riches that accompanied his hit tours and albums. Russell Watson and Vittorio Grigolo followed the path to “popera” fame.
Now Bocelli has admitted that at times he sold his talent short. He said: “I regret being forced by circumstances to do things that were very profitable, but occupied a lot of time I could have dedicated to more artistically satisfying work.”
Speaking to Radio Times, Bocelli added: “Every TV appearance based on commercial foundations robs me of time I'd prefer to devote to studying. In this business you have to do what the world requires.”
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa recently criticised crossover singers as “the new fakes for the new generation — they sing with a microphone”. Bocelli said: “I agree with her. It's a pity to sing with a microphone, if you can do without it, although it's excusable in an arena. It's much easier without one, because you sing the way nature teaches you.” However Caruso also used “amplification”, Bocelli noted.
On Thursday, Bocelli will appear at the Classical Brit Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, where he will sing Funiculì, funiculà. The demands of crossover opera mean that he will also duet with Sarah Brightman.
He said: “If I stop it wouldn't be easy to start again. I was never very ambitious, and was lazy in seeking out opportunities. Now I'm even lazier, but that is countered by a strong sense of duty.”
Bocelli expects the critics to sharpen their knives when he returns to the opera stage in Rome next month as Don José in Carmen. His voice has been described as “rasping” and “thin” in The New York Times.
“I'm in good company,” he shrugged. “All great artists are subject to harsh criticism. I didn't get many gifts from recording companies. It was difficult to convince them to believe in what I was doing as the market was dominated by teenagers.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Classical Brits. Visit www.royalalberthall.com for tickets . The show will be broadcast on ITV1 on May 15.
SO YOU WANT TO BE A POP TENOR?
Vittorio Grigolo Studied music for five years as a boy at the Scuola Puerorum at the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
Andrea Bocelli Has a law degree and was briefly a defence attorney. Took singing lessons with Luciano Bettarini and his hero, the tenor Franco Corelli.
Russell Watson No classical training. The son of a factory worker, Watson first pursued his passion for singing on the pub and club circuit.
Enjoy screenings of all the classic films you love, plus take advantage of two-for-one tickets
Have you ever dreamed of owning your own racehorse or a beautiful painting?
Enjoy comfort, safety, space and great design. Plus enter our great competition
Times Online's new TV show helps you make the right decisions for your pet
Are you California dreaming? Explore the wonders of the Golden State. Also enter our fantastic competition
Do you have what it takes to be a Times photographer?
Your brain is capable of more than you might think...
Find out to make the most of your money with our wealth management guides
Need help with your property? We have an entire how to guide - buying, selling, letting, moving, to help you
We are seeking entries for the inaugural Sunday Times Best Green Companies Awards
Enjoy some wonderful inspiring wildlife moments
An interactive preview of the brand new For Your Eyes Only exhibition
Love Sudoku? Play our brand new interactive game: with added functionality and daily prizes
Are you irritable when you return from work? Drained of emotion? You could be suffering from boreout
Prepare for some shock and awe, petrol lovers. Despite the greens trying to wipe it out, the car is about to offer us the most exciting year ever
We've trawled the brochures and websites to find this summer’s best holidays for every taste and budget
Times Exclusive priority booking
2007/07
£57,500
South East England
2007/07
£40,995
South East England
2006/06
£41,995
South East England
Great car insurance deals online
£40-55k+benefits+uncapped commission
Morgan Keating
South East
Up to £30,000
GLE
London
£
c£75,000 + executive benefits
Morgan Keating
London and South
Unpaid with travel expenses
Network Rail
Globrix, the property search engine
Visit Times Online Property for homes for sale or rent
Residential development site with planning permission
£1,500,000
Mortgages, bank accounts & money transfers to help you buy abroad
Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa 7 nights
From £1830 per person – saving £530.
Walking & multi-activity holidays in Cauterets. Stylish self-catering apartments.
From 350€ for 7 nights.
SAVE 25% on Sandals Luxury Resorts
Great travel insurance deals online
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times. Search globrix.com to buy or rent UK property.
© Copyright 2008 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
I don't think anyone else would have passed up the same opportunities had they had the chance to do what Andrea Bocelli has done. I wouldn't want to change a thing about him and I wouldn't want to live without ever hearing his voice!
Holly Ballard, Guthrie, USA
I've always loved Dame Kiri's opera singing but cringe when she tries Gershwin, and especially don't like her attempts at "Summertime." Brits, despite their many great talents, just can't do that one at all and I wish they'd quit insisting on it. Do what you do best!
Jane Conway, USA
Jane Conway, Valdosta, GA, USA
Classic FM has a lot to answer for in this bloated circus of non-talent.
Church; Westerhome; Watson; Bocelli & Grigolo, (a new name to me). Barely competent singing.
But this is what the Readers of the Tabloids want to hear. It is Not Opera; H. Canning is right in his critiques.
Let them have it
MR M STANISTREET, NERAC, FRANCE
so interesting that Bocelli is his harshest critic. i don't like to "pigeonhole" an artist into a partcular genre; therefore, i enjoy each Bocelli tune on its own merits. when he sings opera - and i'm not a big opera lover - i enjoy his interpretations. his pop music is delicious. 'nuff said.
amapola, cranston village, md, usa
Bocelli made good choices, for him. Overall he maintained integrity on each project. We enjoy his italian genre pop, as well as opera. Nothing beats attending his staged operas. Each day we listen to his voice. Soul satisfying. The timbre of his voice is so special. We always want more.
c parsons, Denver, Colorado, USA
Bocelli says he sold out for fame and fortune probably better for him. His opera performances have pretty awful. His discs may sell but would any real opera lover listen again and again to his Rodolfo, Cavardossi and the terrrible Verdi requiem . Russell Watson well no operatic Tenor he.
jamesjmertins, st.albans, united kingdom
I must say that Dame Kiri has a hell of a nerve. Possibly the worst album I've ever had to listen to was her own "crossover" singing Gershwin standards. It was awful beyond description; she couldn't swing if you hanged her. Which on listening to that album was a proposal that came easily to mind.
Sarah, Canberra, Australia