Andrea Bocelli Returns to Albany

Albany, New York - Andrea Bocelli will return to the U.S. for a select run of concerts in June 2013, with a show scheduled for Times Union Center on Thursday, June 13th.   Bocelli is currently finishing up his Fall US tour in which his performances has received continuous “rousing ovations”.  Bocelli’s tours continue to be among the most praised in the touring season; as the Tampa Bay Times put it, “It's not often you can hear a crowd's collective breath being taken away. But it happened, again and again,” making the June tour the perfect welcome to the summer season.

"We are fortunate the Italian tenor has selected Albany one of only a few  venues in which he will perform in the United States.  The last time we were treated to a performance from him was December 1999 and the concert was sold out.  I expect that will happen again this time", said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy.

The June 2013 Tour will come in support of Andrea Bocelli’s upcoming release Passione which will be released on January 29, 2013 along with a brand new PBS television special of the same name in March 2013. Passione is a lush collection of Mediterranean love songs featuring duets with global pop stars Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, and the late Edith Piaf. The album reunites Bocelli with 16-time Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster, who produced Bocelli’s 2006 release Amore, which sold more than 4.2 million copies. With over 70 million record sales, Bocelli also earned a place in the Guiness Book of World Records by occupying the first, second and third place on the American classical music charts. Celine Dion famously commented on Bocelli’s talent saying, “If God would have a singing voice, He would sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli.” Bocelli’s name is also frequently found heading the list of artists appearing at concerts to support causes such as aid for the earthquake victims of the Abruzzo, alongside stars such as Angela Gheorghiu and in evocative venues like the Colosseum in Rome.

Joining Andrea Bocelli on tour in June; conductor Eugene Kohn, soprano Maria Aleida, and world-renowned orchestras, choirs, and special guest vocalists, will complete the lineup for an unforgettable evening.

Andrea Bocelli continually receives rave reviews throughout his sold-out U.S. tours as an artist showing confidence and mastery in both classical and pop worlds.  “His tone was smooth and brimmed with emotion…he owned Madison Square Garden,” celebrated the New York Post.  The Sun Sentinel concurred stating, “Bocelli’s singing moves people…He brought suave phrasing and affecting emotion to an arrangement of Italian songs.” The Hollywood Reporter rejoiced, “It was a triumphant appearance.”

With one of the most recognizable voices in music, Andrea Bocelli is a global icon who continues to defy categorization bringing his music to millions world-wide.

Tickets for the Times Union Center show on June 13, 2013 will go on sale Monday, January 28th at 10am.  Tickets can be purchased at the arena box office, charge by phone at 800-745-3000, online at www.timesunion.com or at select Wal Mart Music Centers.