Rousing repertoire for Andrea Bocelli’s return to Manila

ANDREA Bocelli

Italian classical crossover singer Andrea Bocelli is set to hold a one-night concert on April 26 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, as part of his “Cinema of the World” tour, according to show promoter Music Management International (MMI Live). (Visit www.mmilive.com, or call 4702222.)

It will be Bocelli’s second time in the Philippines. The singer first regaled his Pinoy fans in a 2004 concert that featured a 90-piece Filipino orchestra.

“I remember many things about that trip because it was very deep, also for my soul,” he said of his Manila gig in the Oct. 1, 2015, issue of Ruben Nepales’ column, “Only in Hollywood,” in this section. “I remember, for example, that the biggest success I reached was when I sang [songs from the album] ‘Sacred Arias’—because everyone there is very religious!”

The repertoire for the tour, which is mounted in support of Bocelli’s latest album, “Cinema,” is composed of songs from screen classics, rousing arias, operatic duets and choice cuts from the album, which include “Maria” (from “West Side Story”) and “Moon River” (“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”).

“I’ve never made a secret of my dream of bringing to life a recording project associated with soundtracks, as I truly believe that it’s an exceptional artistic treasure trove,” said the 57-year-old tenor, who has sold an estimated 80 million albums around the world. Allan Policarpio