Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has reflected on his memorable encounters with the late Queen Elizabeth II and his upcoming return to Wales for a major performance next year. Bocelli first performed for the Queen at Buckingham Palace in October 2000, describing the experience as a uniquely intimate and nerve-wracking moment despite his extensive career singing before large audiences. He recalled sitting just a few metres from Her Majesty at the piano and feeling a different kind of tension in the private setting.
The tenor went on to meet the Queen several times over the years, developing a rapport that extended beyond music to a shared passion for horses. Bocelli visited her stables at Windsor and was warmly invited by the Queen to go riding with her should he return to England with fewer commitments, an opportunity that did not come to fruition before her passing in 2022. He remembers the Queen as a woman of great dignity, energy, and charisma, noting her deep connection with her people.
More recently, Bocelli took part in a royal occasion alongside Welsh baritone Sir Bryn Terfel at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in 2023. At the request of King Charles III, the duo performed “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a Liverpool anthem. Bocelli described King Charles as friendly and genuinely interested in the arts.
Bocelli’s path to international acclaim was shaped by overcoming significant adversity. Born in Tuscany, he lost his sight completely at age 12 due to congenital glaucoma and an accident with a football. Initially pursuing law at the University of Pisa, he continued music lessons and performed locally before his breakthrough at the Sanremo Music Festival in 1994. His 1996 duet with British soprano Sarah Brightman on “Time to Say Goodbye” propelled him to global fame. Since then, he has sold over 90 million records worldwide.
Despite his success, Bocelli remains critical of his earlier recordings, appreciating their youthful energy while acknowledging his voice has matured with age, gaining greater ease in its upper register through dedicated daily practice. He attributes part of his vocal development to advice from his mentor, tenor Franco Corelli, who emphasized the importance of preserving one’s voice above all else.
Bocelli has also shared candid advice with his son Matteo, who is following him into the music industry, warning of the unpredictability and potential superficiality of show business. Balancing his professional life with family, Bocelli has two sons, Amos and Matteo, with his first wife Enrica, and a daughter, Virginia, with his current wife Veronica Berti.
Looking ahead, Bocelli will return to Wales in May 2027 to headline the Land of Song Festival at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, marking his first major Welsh performance in over two decades and celebrating the 30th anniversary of his album Romanza. He remarked on the special nature of returning to a place after many years, highlighting music’s ability to reconnect people across time.