Music review: Andrea Bocelli – ‘Cinema’
Andrea Bocelli could sing the alphabet over and over and make it sound like an inspired operatic work of art.
ItĢƵ no secret to my friends that his 2009 Christmas album is one of my treasured holiday favorites. For his 15th studio release, the Tuscan-born tenor performs memorable selections from classic films such as “The Godfather,” “Scent of a Woman,” “Once Upon a Time in America,” “Dr. Zhivago” and “Breakfast at TiffanyĢƵ.”
The international superstarĢƵ first new studio recording in two years features three duets as well as a set of songs performed in five languages. A gorgeous rendering of “Maria” from “West Side Story” opens the album with an elegant blending of lush orchestration and BocelliĢƵ engaging and majestic voice.
Bocelli, known for his crossover career that combines classical and pop styles, surprises once again on a touching duet with Ariana Grande on “E piu ti penso.” I have to confess, I never saw that one coming. In fact, I had to double check just to make sure that it was indeed GrandeĢƵ sugary pop voice delivering such an impressive performance alongside the beloved singer.
Equally stunning (and surprising) is Nicole ScherzingerĢƵ partnering with Bocelli on “No Llores por Mi Argentina” from “Evita.” Just like Grande, Scherzinger shows wonderful vocal range as she delivers a passionate offering packed with emotion. Other highlights include “Be My Love” from “The Toast of New Orleans,” “Sorridi amore vai” from “Life Is Beautiful” and a very special pairing with his wife, Veronica Berti, on Irving BerlinĢƵ “Cheek to Cheek” from “Top Hat.”
The set comes to a stirring close with a spirited interpretation of “Nelle tue mani (Now We Are Free)” from “Gladiator.” Having sold more than 80 million albums worldwide, Bocelli demonstrates once again why heĢƵ considered the most successful classical solo artist ever.
With “Cinema,” a night at the movies never sounded so good.
Clint Rhodes is the ĢƵ music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.