Andrea Bocelli is one of the most moving singers performing today, but perhaps unbeknownst to many, his entire family has musical abilities too. One of them is his youngest child, a daughter named Virginia Bocelli. In December 2020, the father and daughter paired up to perform a stunning rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah at the Teatro Regio di Parma, and the result is breathtaking.
Music is an art that brings people together, so it’s no surprise that during the holidays, many musicians often release music that speaks to the soul and reminds us of our humanity. Andrea Bocelli, who is one of the eminent singers of our generation, knows this all too well, which is why he often brings out music in times of need or at seasonal occasions to help bring the world together. The holidays during December 2020 are no exception, with the Italian maestro releasing new music to warm our hearts.
Off the back of a new album aptly titled Believe, Bocelli undertook a live performance from the beautiful Teatro Regio di Parma opera house in Italy on December 12, complete with an orchestra and various special guests. Filmed in the round, the one-time-only event incorporated a multi-camera setup to create intimacy with a virtual audience, while creative director Franco Dragone, who has worked with Cirque Du Soleil, helped to bring a cinematic and whimsical style to the visuals. The full performance is titled Believe in Christmas and was streamed around the world to fans who purchased tickets.
Thankfully for everyone else, however, one of the songs has been shared with the world via Bocelli’s YouTube channel. In it, the musical maestro performs Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, but the rendition isn’t an ordinary one—it’s an extra special duet with Andrea Bocelli’s daughter Virginia Bocelli. More than just a sweet father-daughter moment, the duet is truly touching and proves just why we all love Andrea Bocelli so much while introducing his daughter as a talent to watch. The younger Bocelli is a mere eight years old, but with the beauty and control of her voice, you’d be mistaken for thinking she was much older. The video starts with Virginia Bocelli backstage at the theater, as she picks up a guitar and carries it onstage, and hands it to her father, who is already out there. Speaking in Italian, Andrea Bocelli says: “Ah, you’ve brought me a guitar. Is it tuned up?” To which the little girl replies, “yes.” He then asks, “Shall we do a song together?” as he begins to strum the instrument. Filmed in such a warm and inviting atmosphere, you’d be mistaken for thinking this was a scene in a movie instead of a musical performance.
The pair sit down on the stage as Andrea Bocelli begins playing a minimalist acapella version of Hallelujah on the guitar, while Virginia is the one to start singing first. Performing in English, the little girl’s voice is simply beautiful and shows that she must have already had training, which is no surprise given who her father is. The two of them harmonize on the chorus before the elder Bocelli sings the second verse, this time in Italian. At this point, the orchestra is revealed in the pit in front of the stage, as the musicians come in to elevate this part of the song from the opening acapella style. By the end, the musical accompaniment has built to a grand finale, and Andrea Bocelli is able to project his star tenor vocals as Virginia Bocelli harmonizes in the chorus until the end. It’s an incredible performance that truly must be seen to be believed.
Written in 1984 by Canadian musician Leonard Cohen, Hallelujah initially didn’t receive a lot of acclaim until it was covered by musicians John Cale and later, Jeff Buckley. It received a surge of popularity after appearing in the movie Shrek (2001) and has since then dominated the airwaves, particularly during the holidays. Overall there are over 300 different covers of the song.
Andrea Bocelli has been impressing the world with his voice for decades, but his Easter performance in 2020 at Milan’s Duomo cathedral broke records to become the largest classical livestream in YouTube history. Invited by the city of Milan and the Duomo cathedral to perform a stunning solo concert that was titled Andrea Bocelli: Music For Hope – Live From Duomo di Milano, the nearly 30-minute video features stunning shots of the city—which were empty due to a lockdown at the time—Bocelli’s performance, and a beautiful message in trying times. Now, his Believe in Christmas stream sends the same message of hope, to round out a year that will certainly not be forgotten any time soon.
Born in Lajatico, Italy, on September 22, 1958, Andrea Bocelli was plagued with vision issues from birth. By five months of age, he was diagnosed with congenital glaucoma, before becoming completely blind at 12 following a football accident. Showing a keen interest in music as a child, Bocelli started piano lessons at the age of six and would go on to learn the flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, and drums. He won his first song competition by 14, singing ‘O sole mio, and would later perform in piano bars to earn money while he attended law school. He finished his degree and worked as a lawyer for one year before auditioning in 1992 for Italian rock star Zucchero’s demo tape of his song Miserere, which would be sent to Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti. Upon hearing Bocelli’s demo, Pavarotti convinced the rock star to use that version. Afterward, Zucchero was able to convince the operatic legend Pavarotti to perform the song with Bocelli, and it subsequently became a hit throughout Europe. Bocelli then signed to a label and the rest as they say is history.
His eldest son, Amos Bocelli, who the elder Bocelli had with his first wife Enrica Cenzatti, was born in 1995. According to Andrea Bocelli’s official website, Amos “has a degree in piano performance, but he also studied spatial engineering, and this is the field in which he is working to build a career.” Nonetheless, he has worked on some of his father’s recordings, credited as a piano player.
A second son named Matteo Bocelli, who was born in 1997, has followed more closely in his father’s footsteps, setting out on a career as a professional singer. On his father’s official website, Matteo Bocelli is described as living and breathing music, having studied piano at the local conservatory, which is where he is currently studying opera singing. His father has said:
“I think that, in music, Matteo has that special something that you cannot learn, which is talent.”
It speaks to his burgeoning career that Matteo Bocelli has already shared the stage with his father and sang duets with him, one of which appeared in the Disney movie The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, while in 2018 they performed for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Royal Variety Performance.
After separating from his first wife, Bocelli would remarry his manager Veronica Berti. He writes on his website:
“Veronica is my companion, my best friend, my lover, my partner in joy and pain; she is my go-to person, and she brings peace and unity into our family. She is also my manager. I can say that I was lucky enough to be able to share not only my private life, but also my professional life with the woman I love.”
The couple has also performed together on occasion, including a very sweet and romantic Italian cover of Somethin’ Stupid, titled Qualche Stupido, in 2012. That same year the couple would go on to have a child of their own, a daughter named Virginia. Clearly enamored with his daughter, Andrea Bocelli writes on his website:
“She is our princess. She is the family’s sunshine. It is no coincidence that Virginia was born on the first day of spring, which is also the day when Veronica and I got married.”
Witnessing their stunning duet of Hallelujah it’s clear that the family’s musical genes haven’t skipped her, with her beautiful voice and musicality on full display. Whether she decides to pursue a career in the industry just like her dad and older brother remains to be seen, but with the talent she has already at the age of eight, it’s no doubt she’ll succeed in whatever she decides to do.
Andrea Bocelli and his heartrending vocal talents are a gift to the world, especially in times of need. He is a true artist who knows that music can heal and inspire, while his dedication to his family is a delight to witness. We always love to see what he’ll release to the world next.