World renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has fond memories of Pittsburgh

Pittsburghers embraced Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli on his previous visit to the Steel City.

“What I certainly remember is the warm welcome that I received here,” said Bocelli, who will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at PPG Paints Arena. “Many have also spoken enthusiastically about Pittsburgh — its history, imbued in culture and art; its important traditions (even musical); the excellent quality of life it offers its people.”

Courtesy of Maria Aikins

Colin Aikins (left) of Lower Burrel sings for Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli when the singer was performing in Pittsburgh in 2018.

Tenor Colin Aikins of Lower Burrell, who is a senior at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, sang for Bocelli backstage in 2018.

“It was a brief but very pleasant encounter,” Bocelli said. “Colin Aikins sang a few bars of Leoncavallo’s ‘Mattinata.’ I know he loves the Italian repertory of that period, and we both share a common love of Francesco Paolo Tosti’s popular music. He is a young man of great talent and a very promising voice.”

Aikins was flattered.

“For such a big mentor and inspiration to me in my singing career to receive this recognition from him means a lot,” said Aikins, who will perform at the Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 19 at the Edgeworth Club in the Sewickley area. “What a beautiful evening his concert was. He is world-renowned, and for him to remember me — wow.”

Bocelli, who spent the past year and a half performing virtually because of the pandemic, is in Pittsburgh as part of his “Believe” North American tour. It’s his biggest tour and features him with orchestras across the country.

Tickets are available online.

Music will include material from his latest album, “Believe,” a personal collection of songs, along with a selection of arias and his beloved crossover hits. He said the album’s inspiration hinges on three fundamental concepts — faith, hope and charity.

In a career of more than two decades, Bocelli has sold nearly 90 million records worldwide. He’s performed at the Olympic Games and the World Cup and won a Golden Globe, seven Classical BRIT awards and seven World Music Awards.

His previous album, “Si,” reached No.1 on the U.S. and U.K. charts. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Bocelli said all forms of recognition, big or small, always are welcome. Such an honor “heightens the recipient’s sense of responsibility,” he said.

“I must say that the United States embraced me from the very start,” he said. “I often recall, not without getting emotional, when my father used to tell me: ‘You have to go to the United States. There they will understand your talent!’ ”

At the Walk of Fame, Bocelli said everyone wanted to shake his hand. He said the enthusiasm gave him the strength to continue to sing all over the world.

“Music is truly a friend that has always been by my side,” he said. “It is a universal language, it is a powerful tool, one of the spirit’s favorite forms of expression. What I love about music is its capacity to impact minds, contributing to our spiritual evolution, making us better people. “

Bocelli said music is therapeutic.

Bocelli said music can be a powerful tool for peace. He remembered the advice of an elementary school teacher: “Remember, Andrea, that our Good Lord has bestowed upon you a gift, and for this gift, you have no merit,” Bocelli said.

Bocelli said he contracted covid-19 early in 2020, lost his voice for two weeks and temporarily lost his sense of taste and smell. He said many family members had covid.

“I wasn’t scared but felt great frustration and sadness, thinking about the suffering of so many less fortunate people, about the grief of those who lost their loved ones, without even being able to care for them,” said Bocelli.

Not being able to perform in person was a challenge, he said.

“I missed the hugs of people, the physicality of reality, whose truth and strength can never be replaced by a computer screen,” Bocelli said. “ I anticipate with great emotion my upcoming concerts and a gradual return to normalcy. The world needs to return to nurturing culture and frequenting art, to gain newfound trust and start over with a new level of values. This is the strong message I wish to convey through my singing.”