Today, world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli releases a brand-new duet, ‘Pianissimo’, with internationally-acclaimed mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, ahead of his new album release on 13th November. Written by composer Mauro Malavasi, who has been working with Andrea for almost 30 years, the song is composed in a minimalistic and elegant style inspired by the French avant-garde composer Erik Satie.
Andrea explains, “’Pianissimo’ is an enlightened dialogue between a couple who feel God’s gaze and love move through their romantic relationship. As in often found in Malavasi’s compositions, the piano is centre stage as it accompanies the singers’ intertwined melodies.”
Cecilia Bartoli adds, “It was wonderful to sing the ‘Pianissimo’ duet with Andrea. It is such a beautiful melody – I really enjoyed it!”
A video, released to accompany the new duet, features Andrea and Cecilia in the grounds and oval room of the elegant Tenuta Corbinaia in Tuscany. Directed by Riccardo Guarnieri and Luca Scota, the video features stunning overhead shots of the Italian countryside in late summer, perfectly complimenting the duo’s emotive duet.
The forthcoming album, Believe,released on Sugar/Decca Records andco-produced by Steven Mercurio and Haydn Bendall, explores the spiritual themes of faith, hope and charity, celebrating the power of music to soothe the soul. It follows Andrea’s record-breaking ‘Music for Hope’ performance at Easter from the historic Duomo cathedral in Milan which became the largest simultaneous audience for a classical live stream in history with over 28 million views from across the globe in its first 24 hours.
In addition to the collaboration with Cecilia Bartoli, there is also a duet with Alison Krauss and a new composition from Ennio Morricone, a long-time collaborator of Bocelli’s, titled ‘Inno sussurato’ (‘Whispered Hymn’). There are also familiar favourites such as ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Andrea has also composed his own settings of ‘Ave Maria’ and ‘Padre Nostro’ specially for this record.
One of the hidden gems on Believe is ‘Fratello sole sorella luna (Dolce è Sentire)’ – a song featured in the Franco Zeffirelli film Brother Sun, Sister Moon – with music composed by Riz Ortolani. Another delight is ‘Angele Dei’ – a newly-discovered piece by Puccini, arranged by Michael Kaye, which Andrea premiered in 2019. It was originally written without lyrics, so Andrea asked for words of a prayer to be added.
Andrea continues, “The Believe tracklist is the result of a spiritual journey that I have been on for the last few years, which has led to constant growth. This new album is the embodiment of a need to lay a new path – modest, incomplete and subjective as it may be – that brings together tracks that speak to the soul, thereby giving the person listening an incentive to engage with their own spiritual side and listen to what it has to impart.”
With such a powerful message, Andrea hopes that listeners will take comfort in the music from his new recording, reaffirming the album’s core values of faith, charity and hope.
WATCH THE NEW MUSIC VIDEO HERE