Andrea Bocelli

“A positive frame of mind will definitely enhance your travelling experience. If I'm not in a positive frame of mind then the whole thing definitely becomes more of a challenge for me.”

“I was an agnostic until I realized that I had to choose between God and fate. The idea that humanity and nature are the result of fate was not convincing at all. I find the presence of God everywhere.”

“I want to have time for myself, my family and my friends. It's important because in order to sing well, you must have inspiration, and inspiration comes from life, from living.”

“I don't know if One Direction will stand the test of time. I have a niece who goes crazy for them. But the only way to judge art is to wait and see if it becomes evergreen. This takes a bit of time. Adele is a very good musician and I'd like to sing with her. But, again, time will tell if her music will become evergreen.”

“It's always beautiful to sing with other great voices. I like voices in general. It's a big privilege to have great singers next to me.”

“The world is full of many beautiful voices; I will perform with many of them. I love women's voices.”

“Now I'm more sure and I feel myself more comfortable singing.”

“I have to face life with a newly found passion. I must rediscover the irresistible will to learn, to live and to love.”

“When I get on stage, my first goal is not to show my expertise, but on the contrary, to give a bit of happiness, of joy, of cheerfulness. I am firmly convinced that in order to sing well, you must love your neighbor and be passionate about life.”

“For me, riding a two-wheeler bike was very risky. Counting the pedal strokes before turning a corner and learning to hear the sounds coming from buildings, grass and the climbing frame made all the difference to basic survival and ensured that I didn't end up head-first in the sandpit.”

“It is not Christian to go against someone. I am in favour of life.”

“For me, the most enjoyable type of singing is opera. It allows you to move, to wear a costume... to do something with your body. When singing in concert, you have to stand up in front of the audience, next to the conductor, which is less natural.”

“Because, in opera, I have to sing for people that are very far from me, instead of, when I sing a song, I try to imagine to sing like in an ear of a child.”

“I have always tried to perform the music I love, and I think I am lucky because my preferences are often the ones of the public.”

“'Passione' is a selection of the music moments that have accompanied my youth; a collection of cherished memories, of moments, of fleeting emotions, of sleepless nights.”

“An opera singer is like an athlete before a match. An athlete cannot overdo anything. In order to perform at the highest possible level, you need to refrain from activities so as to be able to express this power.”

“I like very much to ride horses. I like soccer, I have had a passion for boxing since I was a child, although it would be stupid for me to box.”

“I first started playing in piano bars for three reasons - to make money, to be in the company of my friends - and also to hook up with young girls. I always knew, even before I played in piano bars, about the effect of my voice.”

“Fatherhood is a very natural thing; it's not something that shakes up my life but rather it enriches it.”

“When I began singing, it was the first time I was happy in my life. As a baby, I would stop crying when I heard a great singer.”