Andrea Bocelli - A Night In Tuscany [1997]

Indeed, despite interview segments in which he proclaims his love of opera or proudly recalls an apprenticeship to operatic veteran Franco Corelli, Bocelli comes across as more fan than virtuoso. But if his voice can prompt technical cavils from hard-core opera buffs, the blind singer's emotional directness and relative lack of onstage preening explain much of his populist appeal. Featured songs include warhorse arias, leading off with the "Louie, Louie" of tenor showpieces, Turandot's "Nessun Dorma" and duets with gruff Italian pop-rocker Zucchero and sopranos Nuccia Focile and Sarah Brightman (who buddies up for the tear-jerking closer, "Time to Say Goodbye"). Even with the marquee bonus of those guests, however, A Night in Tuscany gets its biggest boost from the seductive Italian countryside, prominently featured in between-song segments, and in the romantic concert setting, Pisa's Piazza dei Cavalieri. --Sam Sutherland

The occasional film clips of Tuscany and AB's family are brief and appropriate, and the warmth of this man and his voice reaches out, wrapping around you like a sulty Italian evening. If it's an illusion, it's a particularly seductive one which I was very happy to enjoy at its own pace and for its own sake.

Many of the songs are the staple "3 tenors" fare with which we have all become familiar, but they are presented here with a sincerity and perhaps even simplicity which make them appear much fresher than seems reasonable, given their exposure. It is a tribute to the singer that the overall effect produced by the DVD is entirely one of enjoyment - an enjoyment distinctly enhanced by his ventures into the realms of pop, where the change in his voice is as marked as it is appropriate.

Full marks - if only the video quality had been better than VHS-standard the DVD would have justly deserved five stars.


a true vocal masterpiece for all lovers of music !   January 26, 2001
 15 out of 15 found this review helpful

a grand tour of pisa and the life of andreas is just one of the side lines on this dvd only adding to the music and perfect vocal talents of this warm and expressive vocalist no matter what type of music takes your fancy be it opera or punk youll soon find a small place in your heart melting as you listen to this wonderful tenor , put aside your preducies about them or us in music and just listen and enjoy a journey of discovery through true vocal talent and down to earth passion.