I’m most impressed by the Russian writers, so I love reading the works of Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. Another author who has informed the way I think is the French philosopher, Blaise Pascal. – Andrea Bocelli
People are often quite surprised by the sport and leisure activities practised by the blind. For example, tandem cycling is very popular. – Andrea Bocelli
Every audience has its character; I like America – they love me. I suffer from stage fright, but in America not so much. – Andrea Bocelli
I love eating shabu-shabu in Japan – a kind of beef hotpot. But if you’re talking about authentic, traditional food, then Italian cooking is one of the best in the world. – Andrea Bocelli
I was a daredevil before, and after I lost my sight I was the same. I loved riding bikes, scooters and horses. I even learned to box. Muhammad Ali is my hero. – Andrea Bocelli
I live for my children, so my number one rule is I won’t go away from home for more than two weeks. – Andrea Bocelli
You have to have great passion, because to sing operatic music requires lots of work. I study for at least two hours every day. The voice is like an instrument and requires constant exercise. – Andrea Bocelli
When I began singing, it was the first time I was happy in my life. As a baby, I would stop crying when I heard a great singer. – Andrea Bocelli
I don’t have an extraordinary degree of self-confidence, but I know the gift I have been given from God, and I try to share it with as many people as possible. – Andrea Bocelli
What is certain is that singing is not merely modulating a song by means of the voice: we sing and we celebrate the beauty that we can grow and live every day. If you want to sing and give emotions to those who are listening, you must have something to tell through your singing; you have to use singing like an instrument to tell something. – Andrea Bocelli
My real passion is for opera. It was born and developed by listening to records, and my dream as a child was to record entire operas when I grew up, and this dream came true. – Andrea Bocelli
I have always loved music and singing, and I am open to listen to any type of music. Regardless of my mood, my heart is always set racing when I listen to opera. When I decide which music I want to hear, my choice is almost invariably an opera recording. – Andrea Bocelli
I consider the voice a gift from the heavens, and as all the gifts from the heavens, they must be used, but the minute that the heavens call it back then of course I will stop. – Andrea Bocelli
To sing a duet together means sharing with someone both the pleasure and the responsibility of making music for an audience which is there to feel enjoyment through music. – Andrea Bocelli
Popularity gets up people’s noses. But I understand the importance and the function of popular music. There is an artistic purpose. Popular music helps people to develop a curiosity and leads them towards classical music. – Andrea Bocelli
A career is like a house: it’s made of many bricks, and each brick has the same value, because without any one of them, the house would collapse. – Andrea Bocelli
For me, riding a two-wheeler bike was very risky. Counting the pedal strokes before turning a corner and learning to hear the sounds coming from buildings, grass and the climbing frame made all the difference to basic survival and ensured that I didn’t end up head-first in the sandpit. – Andrea Bocelli
I first started playing in piano bars for three reasons – to make money, to be in the company of my friends – and also to hook up with young girls. I always knew, even before I played in piano bars, about the effect of my voice. – Andrea Bocelli
I have to face life with a newly found passion. I must rediscover the irresistible will to learn, to live and to love. – Andrea Bocelli
I am honored I have performed ‘Quizas Quizas Quizas’ with Jennifer Lopez, an eclectic artist who thanks to the charismatic power of her voice and to her soft sensuality, has managed to make this song particularly convincing. – Andrea Bocelli
Singing provides a true sense of lightheartedness. If I sing when I am alone, I feel wonderful. It’s freedom. – Andrea Bocelli
I was an agnostic until I realized that I had to choose between God and fate. The idea that humanity and nature are the result of fate was not convincing at all. I find the presence of God everywhere. – Andrea Bocelli
‘Passione’ is a selection of the music moments that have accompanied my youth; a collection of cherished memories, of moments, of fleeting emotions, of sleepless nights. – Andrea Bocelli
For me, the most enjoyable type of singing is opera. It allows you to move, to wear a costume… to do something with your body. When singing in concert, you have to stand up in front of the audience, next to the conductor, which is less natural. – Andrea Bocelli