'Il mare calmo della sera’ is the lead track from global icon Andrea Bocelli’s new career-spanning ‘Duets’ album, celebrating his 30 years in music, and released today. Undoubtedly, one of Bocelli’s most enduring hits, today’s version has been re-imagined with the legendary country super star Chris Stapleton (10 Grammys, 11 ACMs) who lends his haunting vocal to this brilliant new interpretation of the song.
’The calm evening sea’ (written by Zucchero Fornaciari, Gian Pietro Felisatti and Gloria Nuti) was not only the title track for Bocelli’s debut album in 1994, but in fact was the song that won him the Sanremo Festival that same year, kicking off his career in Italy three decades ago. It is entirely fitting that this very special song is celebrated again here, 30 years later. When Chris Stapleton – who plays two sold-out headline O2 shows this week as part of his UK arena tour – heard the track, he wanted to be involved, and so two great voices were brought together.
World-renowned and beloved Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli presents his impressive collection of landmark duets with Ed Sheeran, Céline Dion, Sarah Brightman, Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lopez, Bono, Luciano Pavarotti and more, alongside new superstar collaborations, freshly recorded for this special album. As well as Chris Stapleton, Bocelli is joined by Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani, Marc Anthony, Matteo Bocelli & Hans Zimmer, KAROL G, Sofia Carson, Elisa, amongst others.
Once asked what it was like to duet with talents with household names, Andrea Bocelli explains: “To mix voices, mix the vibrations, is for me a very exciting experience, sensual and spiritual at the same time. Something intimate and deep is established between the two voices that sing a duet. We singers are in constant search of colleagues able to give life to this alchemy”.
Also in this milestone year, there will be two films about the tenor: a concert film called ANDREA BOCELLI 30: THE CELEBRATION, which was filmed at his star-studded Tuscany concerts earlier this year, and a documentary called Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe, following his journey from a humble piano-bar singer to the beloved global superstar he is today.
In March 2024, Andrea Bocelli kicked off the 30th anniversary celebrations by taking the stage at the Oscars 2024 with his son, recording artist Matteo Bocelli, wowing the star-studded Hollywood audience with a surprise performance of all-time favourite ‘Time To Say Goodbye’, produced and arranged especially for them by two-time Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer. This iconic song, originally released as ‘Con te partirò’ and later as a duet with Sarah Brightman, launched Bocelli to international stardom almost three decades ago, and has since garnered hundreds of millions of streams.
With nearly 90 million records sold worldwide, and one of the most recognizable voices in the entertainment industry, Andrea Bocelli has sold-out arena-sized concert events and counts record-breaking live-streams. He has shared his talents at many major events including the Olympic Games, the World Cup, and Global Citizen. He has earned a Golden Globe, seven Classical BRITs and seven World Music Awards, plus a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
After gracing The Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park 2024 for the largest outdoor classical concert of this century, Bocelli headlined ANDREA BOCELLI 30: THE CELEBRATION, a three-day event in July at the Teatro del Silenzio (Theater of Silence) in Lajatico, Tuscany. This spectacular concert series showcased Bocelli's extensive repertoire alongside captivating duets with fellow performers, creating an unforgettable experience for all who attended.
The event itself boasted a star-studded lineup, including Ed Sheeran, Shania Twain, Jon Batiste, Russell Crowe, Brian May, Eros Ramazzotti, Elisa, Johnny Depp, Laura Pausini, Will Smith, Zucchero, Sofia Vergara, Matteo Bocelli, Virginia Bocelli, Lang Lang and many more.
Today’s new album, ‘Duets’, further proves that after 30 years, Andrea Bocelli continues to surprise and enchant his fans. His ongoing legacy and timeless voice have never stopped being respected by the most-acclaimed artists of each generation, highlighting his lasting influence and artistry.
DUETS – Tracklist:
CD 1
1. Time To Say Goodbye, ft. Sarah Brightman
2. Vivo Por Ella - 2024 Version, ft. KAROL G
3. Quizás, Quizás, Quizás, ft. Jennifer Lopez
4. Fall On Me, ft. Matteo Bocelli
5. Perfect Symphony, ft. Ed Sheeran
6. Da Stanotte in Poi (From This Moment On), ft. Shania Twain
7. Holding On, ft. Gwen Stefani
8. Il Mare Calmo Della Sera - 2024 Version, ft. Chris Stapleton?
9. The Prayer, ft. Céline Dion
10. La vie en rose, ft. Édith Piaf
11. E più ti penso - From "Once Upon A Time In America", ft. Ariana Grande
12. If Only, ft. Dua Lipa
13. Somos Novios, ft. Christina Aguilera
14. Return To Love, ft. Ellie Goulding
15. Rimani Qui, ft. Elisa
16. Vivo per lei, ft. Giorgia
CD 2
1. Dare To Live (Vivere), ft. Laura Pausini
2. Can't Help Falling In Love, ft Katharine McPhee
3. Hallelujah, ft. Virginia Bocelli
4. Amazing Grace (arr. Mercurio), ft Alison Krauss
5. Moon River - From "Breakfast At Tiffany's", ft. Sofia Carson
6. Canto Della Terra - 2024 Version, ft. Lauren Daigle
7. La Voce Del Silenzio, ft. Marc Anthony
8. Canzoni stonate, ft. Stevie Wonder on harmonica and additional vocals
9. Un Amore Così Grande, ft Veronica Berti, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi and Steven Mercurio
10. Notte 'e piscatore ft. Luciano Pavarotti
11. Io Ci Sarò ft. Lang Lang
12. Pianissimo ft. Cecilia Bartoli
13. Bizet, Cormon, Carre: Au fond du temple saint [Les pêcheurs de perles / Act 1] - Live At Central Park, New York / 2011, ft. Bryn Terfel & New York Philharmonic
14. Bambina Mia Ricordati, ft. Virginia Bocelli
15. What Child Is This, ft. Mary J Blige
16. Time To Say Goodbye, ft. Matteo Bocelli & Hans Zimmer
17. L'Incontro - Italian Version With English Poem, ft. Bono, Robin Smith, Cora Arcobaleno, Lucia Giacon
18. Mi manchi, ft. Kenny G
19. I Believe, ft. Katherine Jenkins
20. Corcovado / Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars ft. Nelly Furtado
21. Canto Della Terra ft. A-lin
