Andrea Bocelli is a no-show at his own concert
NewsForty minutes after his concert was due to begin last night at TD Garden in Boston, the tenor’s wife came on stage to say he was unable to sing ‘due to health issues’.
The venue described the cause as ‘health challenges’, adding: ‘This was not an easy decision to make, Andrea never wants to disappoint his fans and wishes to thank everyone for their ongoing support. ‘
I thought he’d retired. The last time I heard him, he was regrettably, way past his best.
If he is past his prime, which he is not, he is still better than any of his peers.
Who are his peers? Jonathan Antoine? Paul Potts? Certainly no legitimate opera singer.
Your remarks are insensitive and downright mean! He’s still one of the elite singers!
Yes, the best!
Amazing what jealous people come up with.
You’ve obviously never seen him
BOCELLI is AMAZING in Concert…see him in TUSCANY!!!
And you obviously have a bad taste in music..
Jonathan Antoine is a worthy successor to many performers approaching the end of their careers .He has more power depth and feeling than many of them even at the age of 27.Neither AB or Jonathan are true opera singers but they perform operatic numbers
I saw him in Louisville last Saturday, Dec 2 and he was outstanding!
I was there, and it was great
If you were there you know he did not perform. What was great?
Really?? I have seen him twice awesome
I was there too, Gina. He was absolutely amazing!
Why are you ALWAYS so negative. Your life must be absolutely dreadful. I pity you because you’ll never survive old age.
Must people who are negative about such matters have a dreadful life? Couldn’t they at the same time be cheery and happy in all sorts of things? Why not? Perhaps it’s just our wishful thinking that causes us to portray negative people as miserable.
Negativity is usually caused by being unhappy with the surroundings and self.
Nobody ‘survives’ old age!!!
Thanks Sue Sonata, for making me laugh out loud. Such morbid comments and then this beautiful, factual statement.
This is a discussion board and not for people that their only pastime seems to be, is insulting others.
No one has any guarantee of how long they are going to live.
So, let’s all enjoy the time we have got by being kind and respecting to each other, it reaps happiness.
Newsflash, Nobody will survive old age.
I saw him Dec 1. Sounded great.
Saw him perform in Savannah last year and he was in great form. Outstanding performance with several standing ovations.
We just had him in concert in Louisville and he was wonderful!❤️
Walton:
If you got nothing nice to say, I advise you to better don’t say a thing.
Newsflash, When a society begins to limit speech, as you are attempting to do here, it ceases to be free.
Tell the government that! He has the voice of an angel!
Socrates
Given that his “best” is truly execrable, that must have been a terrifying experience!
His best was nowhere near “execrable” when he stuck to what he is good at — well-written popular songs, maybe hymns, the odd art song. It is his aspiration to be considered an opera singer than has caused him reputational difficulties.
I had to review him in concert once and took a friend who was a devotee. She hoped to hear him sing things like some of the songs of his Romanza album and similar. Instead he delivered some relatively obscure classical arias, and it was a rather tedious evening for those who had chosen to be there, as well as those of us who had to be.
He was slammed by every reviewer in the room — and there were quite a few — because he did not deliver a good concert. If he had sung opera arias well he would have brought a willing audience along with him. As it was, the response was appropriately tepid.
This was a good few years ago. He may well have learned since then what makes a concert work for his own fan base. I’m afraid I will never know, not being likely to ever see him live again. But I still have positive memories of the Romanza album, particularly a duet with an Italian rocker named Georgia called Vivo Per Lei.
How rude and obnoxious.
Get your ears cleaned out….
Saw him in May and he is definitely not past his prime. Geesh.
It is soon Christmas. Please be kind.
I was present at a concert in Malta in November this year were he was the star guest and he was excellent
You must be confusing him with someone else tim, time is teaming up against you. He sings now better than when he was young.
You omitted that Andrea came onstage after his wife spoke and he addressed the audience very warmly and apologetically. It was honestly delivered and clearly difficult for him physically.
What about all the people who paid for travel, hotels, babysitters, parking? I can’t believe he’s cancelled two nights in a row at the venue. Last night he didn’t cancel until an hour past the start time.
That’s called life. And this comment is also what is wrong with people today. Insensitive, entitled, and downright disrespectful
Thank you. The headline alone is misleading calling him a no-show. A no show is when there’s no presence at all with no reasonable explanation.
His wife gave an explanation, and now we’re learning through you that he DID show up, albeit to apologize further. This was NOT a no show.
Bocelli was definitely not a no-show; he was present with his usual entourage at Boston Garden (seating ca. 26k). There was absolutely no indication of any problem or potential cancellation beforehand. The orchestra was massed at stage left ready to go on. They were told by the conductor during rehearsal that they usually begin around 8:15. At concert time 8:15 dame and went, then 8:30, then more. Finally, Bocelli came to backstage led by his wife and helped by two men on either side. It was clear that by his wife’s remarks, his own and his demeanor that it was a very last-moment decision that he was truly regretful for. Bocelli promised them he would reschedule as soon as possible and to retain their tickets if they were so disposed. The audience was disappointed but I guarantee that most will retain their tickets for the concert’s rescheduling which is already in determined process.
Can you tell the difference in his singing when he’s sick?
Are you seriously asking such an unkind, uncaring question.
Shame on you .
Shame on you for forcing your opinion on other people. Nobody HAS to agree with you!
He seems like someone who would leave it all on the stage for the love of music and for the love of his fans.
I just hope its nothing serious.He seems like such a nice m
He’s a Trump supporter and an artistic fraud. Genuine opera singers forced to work with him (I’m thinking of Barbara Frittoli here) have described the experience as quite unpleasant.
Your pathological need to excrete politics into music all over social media are indications of serious, unaddressed psychological problems. How successful are you? How unhappy you must be. Does anyone actually want to perform with you?
Judging by the aggression in your reply, it seems that you might be the one with psychological issues.
Genuine? Obviously a very unintelligent comment which speaks volumes about yourself and your ignorance. Not to mention not knowing anything about opera. Go back under your rock.
I bought a ticket to see him in Zurich, for a 2019 concert. I was going to be in the Northern Spain area for a hiking trip.
The concert date was changed, postponed, annually until finally, 11/20 this year via all-German emails.
Meanwhile, I live in the Chicago area and had to see him scheduled all around the area, but no exchanges were allowed!? That was never offered as an option.
And now I see he’s on tour, but east coast only!?
There was an empty seat in Zurich, and never will I buy another for him.
That is the promoter who did that to you, not Bocelli.
Like he has no control over the promoter.
Concert-goers in Philadelphia got refunds when he wouldn’t perform.
I was at the Philadelphia Wellsfargo Center concert on Dec. 7th 2023. My mom and I have loved Andrea Bocellis music for the last 29 years. We were so looking forward to the concert. We paid 1,200 for 2 tickets,paid for a night stay at a hotel,food,gas,meals,drinks and parking. Why would you announce Andrea will not be performing one hour after the start time to the concert. You can’t tell me they didn’t know before that especially when he canxelled the night before. He looked very ill. Very skinny,grey complexion,weak. Hope it isn’t anything more than his vocal cords. Our hearts go ourmt to him. However it feels like a money grab when they don’t give you a choice of a refund when you don’t know if you will be available whenever they decide to reschedule. I have read all the reviews from his current world tour and most are one star. Terrible reviews. Don’t know if he is having continual health problems so he is filling in with other singers and dancers and family members. If that is the case they should state Andrea Bocelli,family and friends concert. His daughter has an amazing voice! So did the othet singers who performed. Need better song choices though.Don’t know if he had any say or control. Needs new management team? Praying his management issues get resolved and he regains his health. No one expects him to sound like he did 29 years ago when I saw him. But I expect my money’s worth if I am investing all of my time,money and effort to attend his concert with my 83 year old mom.
I absolutely agree with you that the concert should have been cancelled way before the concert was about to start since he already cancelled in other locations.
If you paid $600/each for tickets, well, fool me once…
The notification of the first rescheduled date included an option for a refund. If you didn’t choose a refund at that time, it was not offered again. I still have a copy of that email. The subsequent notifications included the following: “Please note: Any previous emails regarding the postponement of your event Andrea Bocelli in ZÜRICH are no longer valid. The information in this email now applies.” Your options at that point were to sell your ticket(s) via an online platform (a link was provided) or arrange for a refund with the insurance on your purchase (if you had insured your purchase). There was also an option to translate the email to English. I chose that option and all of my subsequent emails were in English. We attended the concert in November and his voice was in fine form. He performed only a few of his popular pieces, the majority of the program included Italian classics from his album Incanto and his other more recent releases. It was an excellent concert nonetheless.
I never saw an option for English. Huge long emails that I had trouble cutting and pasting for Google Translate. The concert was postponed how many times? 3!? For a year at a time. And for different dates. There were hotels and flights involved, which I was juggling. What kind of diva expects his audience to gyrate around him like that?
Dear Andrea, Best regards to you and a quick recovery. Sending you strength and forever faith. Your friend sincerely and always, KRKelly
To have “PhD” in your handle is just plain silly.
It’s okay to be past your prime, just bow out gracefully then look forward to encouraging and teaching the next generation.
What does any of what you said have anything to do with Mr Bocelli, or the article? If you mean what you said regarding Mr Bocelli, keep your thoughts, words, and discriminations to yourself. You owe an apology.
Well well.. Forcing people to apologize for not agreeing with you? WOW
What does he have to “teach”? He’s only been promoted so massively due to the human interest story of his being blind.
He’s been blind since he was young. Any fan of his knew it, so what does that have to do with anything?
It’s the sole reason he has a career as an “opera singer”, given his low level of talent. Massive human interest PR story.
He can´t teach anything.He is no opera singer.Poor technique,flat tone projection,lousy intonation..He is a pop singer.But as pop singers go,give me Eros Ramazotti any time.
Speaking of italian popular songs, listen to Mario Lanza or Sergio Franchi, who also didn´t perform on opera stages, but had fantastic recording voices!!!!!
Says who?
We saw him
In Dallas last week and he was fantastic. Came back four times for income. Just because there stars doesn’t mean they don’t get sick. One note. Did not care for the ballet dancers on stage while he was singing. Very distracting. Prayers he gets better. I’m sure he will reschedule for his fans.
We saw him in Tampa Florida earlier this year and he was magnificent!
He addressed his fans with a standing ovation. He can do no wrong, we only wish him a speedy recovery.
He’s a most amazing singer and Man , healthy wishes to him
Will he be there tonight 12/7 in Philadelphia?
Just left the Phila concert – he was unable to perform . His wife came out 40 minutes after the concert was supposed to begin and read an announcement that was sincere and heartfelt. Andrea came out a few minutes later to offer his apologies. Refunds will be given. We hope ! Disappointing but hopefully he will fully recover .
Nice that refunds were offered….no such offer for his oft-postponed (for literally YEARS!) concert in Zurich.
There is a young English tenor who can out perform many of the established voices still going today .Check out Jonathan Antoine
Those disliking this comment really need to check out the young tenor
The problem with your comment is not that anyone disbelieves the quality of your tenor. It is the purpose of which you invoked him which is clearly a pejorative one.
Will he perform tonight at the Wells Fargo center in Philadelphia?
Well it is good to hear that the delay was not because of him piloting the plane…..
I saw him in New Orleans and he was outstanding!! It was truly an honor
I spent 1 1/2 hours with Andrea, his wife and his mother in law in his dressing room when he was in Cleveland. What beautiful people ! What a fantastic experience it was for me and my wife.
I love Andrea Bocelli! He is a great singer with a beautiful voice. I hope he is doing well and will get better soon.
So unusual..love the style..
The most overrated tenor in the world has a cold?
He can’t be judged against other operatic tenors, because he isn’t. He has many loyal fans. When he venture outside of Italian pop, he set himself up to be compared and harshly judged against ” real” operatic tenors. A controversial figure. He is what he is: a pretty good pop singer, with a thin, pretty voice. He is popular in the US , where the public is easily impressed.
Give the man a Break if he is not feeling well, he is still one of the Greatest
“one of the Greatest” – have you ever heard Caruso, Bjorling, Pavarotti, Corelli, Bergonzi, Di Stefano – just to mention a few specialists in Italian repertoire (the full list of superior tenors would probably exceed internet bandwiths).
The only response you’re likely to get is an unsupported assertion or an insult.
As a pop singer, fine, but no more than that.
The late Chris Cornell was a much better singer, and Mike Patton still is!
I’ve never heard – or heard of – them yet I suspect you’re right.
I have never seen him in person however, every time I hear his voice, it makes my heart sing!
So far he is 45 mins late in Philadelphia
I went to Andre bocelli concert in the FLA in Davie miami on feb 14 last year. Paid for very expensive tickets and found the whole experience a complete rip off. Not a great concert in the fact the worst concert I have been too in many years. There was a whole number of great songs that he would have got a standing ovation for and were never performed. Never again will I listen to him I am so disgusted
I hope he’s ok
He’s such a talented wonderful man
Blessings to him
I saw him in Dallas and in dc this year and for me there is nobody like him . Wish him a speedy recovery and good health always
Andrea Bocelli, is a pure, inspirational gift to this world. God bless this magnificent, multi talented, kind hearted man.
Pop goes the popera
This article conveniently leaves out the fact that Andrea actually did come out a few moments after his wife initially came to stage. He issued a verbal statement himself. Watch the video….not one person in that audience was upset!
Very poor journalism to only show the negative side of this
My prayers to Andrea Bocelli. Hope you get well soon these things happen and it’s understandable.
I wish someone would explain to me in clear terms with some attempt at objectivity, and devoid of sentimentality, what his virtues are as a singer, because I just don’t get it.
V Lind has had a go. Anyone else?
You must be joking or tone deaf, his voice is better than ever
In what respects is his voice “better than ever”?
Just a rude, 13 word assertion, totally unsupported.
A number of years back, when Bocelli appeared in a staged Michigan Opera Co. performance with Denise Graves (I forgot which opera), the Detroit music critic made an astute comment writing that Michigan University music school is one of the best with it’s opera classes particularly world renowned. What a missed opportunity, he lamented, to not cast a talented opera student in the lead tenor role instead of a quasi opera singer whose main draw was not his ability to fully sing the role but his fame garnered by singing w/a mike.
Praying for you, Mr. Bocelli! Please forgive disrespectful people. Saw you in Louisville and felt blessed as your entire concert was amazing.
He’s never been a great singer of opera. I attended a concert 20 years ago where he sang some Neapolitan songs and they were lovely. I wish he sang more of this kind of music. It’s much more suited to his voice.
Maybe Mr. Lebrecht does not write the headlines for his reports, but to call someone a “no-show” who has to cancel for health issues sounds a bit harsh.
And he did show up! He just didn’t sing.
Even the great Pavarotti got a cold and had the odd bad day.
Have seen AB three times, still no one comes close.
I have boycotted all singers who consented to recording opera sets with him, including Barbara Frittoli, Rene Pape etc. And the conductors.
Everyone gets sick but making your audience wait 40 minutes before you decide? C’mon man…
Spared the listeners of a painful listening experience..What has his wooden,flat singing to do won a classicalmusic blog?
I’m surprised no-one has mentioned the other AB from England…Alfie Boe, a true operatic tenor. Trained at the London Royal College of Music and The Royal Opera House, his operatic arias, Neapolitan songs and popular music are wonderful. He has an ability to sing any genre of music and was in a class of his own in Les Mis as Jean valJean on both Broadway and the West End. Mr Bocelli has a very pleasant voice but he is no opera singer. Mr Boe has a powerful, beautiful voice but he’s more than just an opera singer.
It’s very sad to see how many negative comments by negative people on here. To say he is no opera singer or has no talent is pure ignorance and stupidity. One must wonder why such comments are made….. The only thing in this world that speaks this garbage is pure JEALOUSY. And it may also be that the viagra stopped working for these angry morons. Either way the only thing we are remembered for is our character. It must really suck to look in the mirror every morning and see yourself and have accomplished nothing. Feel better soon Andrea. You are loved.
Andrea is still one the of best tenors he has a beautiful voice