Resounding with emotion, yet demanding of respect — this rare combination could only be found in the legendary voice of Andrea Bocelli as it echoed through the capital’s du Arena on Friday night. Never have I seen such a focused, respectful and dedicated audience — not a single word could be heard as all eyes and ears focused on the tenor as he sang iconic songs like Ave Maria and Be My Love.
Bocelli’s third return to Abu Dhabi was this time to promote his new album, Cinema, and included songs from movies such as The Godfather, Love Story and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
He arrived fashionably late, two hours after gates opened at 7.30pm but was immaculately dressed and coiffed as usual.
After about an hour into his performance, the 57-year-old told a mesmerised audience: “This is my third time in Abu Dhabi. I keep coming back here because of the weather, the atmosphere and above all — you. I can feel your affection.”
Bocelli’s relentless talent was coupled with an equally supportive orchestral team - the UAE's own National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) - who made his music exponentially more influential and heart-wrenching. The musicians came from the NSO pool of based in the UAE, with some support from Muscat.
Emirati-Yemeni singer Balqees Fathi also took to the stage to perform a solo I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables before being joined by Bocelli for a duet.
Although ranging in age and nationalities, Bocelli’s fans had only the love of this musician in common — that and a love for high-end clothing.
The singer gained even more of his audience’s admiration when he sang Occhi di Fata, the first song he ever sang for ‘the woman of his life’.
The Grammy-nominated Italian has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide and is known for his duets with singers such as Sarah Brightman (Time to Say Goodbye), Celine Dion (The Prayer) and, most recently, Ariana Grande (E Piu Ti Penso).
“With the album Cinema, I’m fulfilling a wish that I’ve harboured for decades. 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,” Bocelli said earlier in a statement.
His last performance in Abu Dhabi was in 2013.
