Usually the first question that comes spontaneously with an emerging singer is to understand where the passion for music comes from and what motivated him to take this road. Well, asking that of Andrea Bocelli's son is absolutely obvious.
The interview granted to Tuttoitalia on a video link from Rome shows a humble young man with a self-assurance that few people have at 25. And we are sure that, if he were not truly good and well prepared, his father would have helped him refine himself to the right level to step on stage. This is not about managers who launch young people knowing they may last a single season: Matteo carries an important surname, he grew up in an environment where music has to be sung to the point of virtuosity and where there is no room for improvisation, either in preparation or in results and proposals. So no, Matteo is not simply Andrea's son who had the road cleared for him: even if his surname helps him, he will step on stage to win success and to keep it. Something we do not doubt.
Matteo, how do you feel about taking on such an important tour, touching several European and American cities, including the temple that is Las Vegas? “I am coming from packed days full of promotion and it is tough, but it is good that the machine slowly gets going. Even with so many dates close together, I feel very positive.”
How hard is it to build your own artistic personality, shedding the label of such an important surname? Was it not a given that you would follow in your father's footsteps? “It would seem easy because, compared with others, my surname opens more doors but, in fact, in the audience there will always be the comparison with my father's classical genre and his voice, while my path is different. Comparisons are never in the children's favour at the start. Expectations are a considerable weight. I have to convince the audience of what I do and that is not simple compared with someone who is not called Bocelli and faces no comparisons. In any case I like challenges and I am sure something will come back to me whatever happens.”
You studied piano, but has the combination of playing and singing always come naturally? “Yes, I have always loved classical music and I learned to appreciate it on the notes of the great composers, but then I realised that I also liked singing while I played and from there I began to compose music of my own too, music that comes from my own strings.”
On the music scene there are many young people who begin their journey with their own tone but, once they reach success, they have to adapt to what the record market demands. How far are you willing to go against your nature? “It is not a matter of different, more commercial music: I defend my musical tastes tooth and nail. In music there is no right and wrong, there is only what gives you satisfaction to sing and what you like. Music is made of sincere emotions and I cannot give my best if it does not reflect my values and my range, which I do not want to submit to. It has to be worth it, but I do not want to bend to compromises.”
I see you as very sure of yourself despite your young age and above all you are answering on your own, with no public relations manager beside you. It is certainly a positive note that defines your character and your tenacity. “Every now and then they try, but I always say what ‘il core' tells me.”
I saw a performance with your father in which you sang the Ed Sheeran song. The audience was thrilled, both for you and for your father. The applause, while you swapped roles as you sang, showed sincere appreciation, as if the audience understood how important it is for Andrea to have raised such a talented son, in whom parental love can be felt. In these times when the music of the young has more visual provocation than talent, you were a reassuring novelty for that audience and they loved you straight away. I cannot think of any other parent and child pair so widely appreciated. “Everyone likes to feel the warmth of the audience in general, but all the more so as long as I sing with my father! I really hope not to disappoint them, and to win over other people on my own.”
What will you offer the Zurich audience? “I repeat that I am aware a large part of the audience follows my father, but I will try to win them over with my own songs, unreleased tracks and various covers, because you cannot expect to entertain a theatre with unreleased songs alone.”
Speaking of “unreleased”, I saw that you did something absolutely new for an Italian, namely a duet, a feat with an Indian singer. “There were actually two of them! Yes, we wanted to widen the range of the audience and we bet on that market with twin sisters who are famous in India: it was a fine experience that worked. But also with an international Spanish star... The road ahead is long, but I am working at it.”
I leave Matteo to carry on with his promotion, wishing all the best to a young man so disarming in his simple confidence. Obviously, saying that he is a very handsome young man and that he will have to deal with that as well in order not to go against his nature is stating the obvious.
Matteo Bocelli - Live in concert
Monday 23 October 2023
8.00 pm
Volkshaus, Zurich
Buy your tickets here
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