Andrea Bocelli Biography

Fast Facts

• His single "Time to Say Goodbye" is one of the best-selling singles of all time, with more than 12 million copies sold worldwide
• Was named a Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2006
• Won a Guinness World Record for having his music in first, second, and third place in the American classical music charts at the same time
• Graduated from the University of Pisa with a degree in Law and received vocal training from Maestro Luciano Bettarini
• Although he was born with a visual impairment, he didn't become blind until the age of 12, when he was injured while playing soccer
• Began playing the piano at the age of 6 and later played the flute and saxophone
• Won his first singing competition in 1970, for which he sang "O Sole Mio․"
• Quote: "The more I immerse myself in singing, the less I understand․ I only know that God has given me a voice which allows me to express what I feel, and in this sense I believe I can describe it as a recognizable voice․"
• Quote: "I don't think one decides to become a singer․ It is decided for you by the reactions of the people around you․"
• Best known as a tenor and singer-songwriter who frequently combines classical music with pop styles and recorded hit songs like "Time to Say Goodbye" and "The Prayer․"