Review of 'Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration'

We are big fans of tenor opera singer Andrea Bocelli but so far have not coughed up the money to see him live (it is a big cough) so when we learned that “Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration” was to be shown at the local cinema we jumped at the chance to see him in concert on the big screen.

The film starts with a woman driving through the Tuscan countryside whose car breaks down only to borrow a horse and go off riding. So far, so odd. Then we are treated to a series of performances set in Teatro del Silenzio (Theatre of Silence) in Lajatico, a natural amphitheatre in the rolling hills of Tuscany near where Bocelli was born. The film is interspersed with scenes, presumably, from Bocelli's home where he is hosting a number of performers for an afternoon meal though this seems slightly staged though when Lang-Lang is playing the piano in the house Bocelli seems genuinely concerned about the health of the instrument (!). The staging is incredible with a full orchestra in front of a single long rotating staircase that serves as a set for many of the pieces. This is not all about music with more dance and show numbers that you might expect. However, music here is central as Bocelli sings not only many solo pieces but A-list acts including some who definitely can't sing: Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, and the Kardashians (sitting in the front row to whom Bocelli delivers a bouquet of flowers). For those that CAN sing the highlights of the night include “Perfect Symphony” with Ed Sheeran and “Who Wants to Live Forever” with Queen guitarist Brian May. The former I found a bit unbalanced and much more Ed Sheeran than Bocelli but in the later an obviously moved Bocelli acknowledges his honour at performing the Queen masterpiece with May. To me I found the Queen tribute a highlight of the evening but equally moving was the performance of Bocelli and his son then later his daughter (“Halleluiah”) who seemed to genuinely be talking to each other as father and daughter on the stage, “Do you remember the words?” “Of course I do.” The show concludes with solo pieces, “Nessum Dorma” and an impeccable “Time to Say Goodbye (Con te partiro)”. As the film credits roll we see Bocelli riding off on a horse and startling the concert goers as they return to their cars.

An amazing concert with incredible sound and performances though I have to say many of the duets seemed to be more for commercial than aesthetic reasons with Bocelli seeming to be more an accessory rather than, as he should be, the main event. In one song the guest simply sits quietly on the piano as Bocelli sings. Yeah, odd. Anyway, where Bocelli is front and centre the film takes flight to incredible heights of musicality. He is truly amazing and despite the interruption of a few unwelcome guests, this is an incredible concert. If you can't seem him live, this is a great alternative.

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2024-12-08

Directed by: Sam Wrench

Studio: Impact Productions

Year: 2024

Length: 148 minutes

Genre: Musical

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32606568/