“The fact that I am blind is not what defines my life. It should be of no more interest than my blood type. People wonder if there is a relationship between my lack of sight and the way I sing. But there's no connection.”

Italian tenor

Andrea Bocelli is an Italian tenor who rose to fame in 1994. He is known for winning the newcomers' section of the 44th Sanremo Music Festival with his performance of "Il mare calmo della sera". That breakthrough brought him wide attention and established him as a major voice in popular classical and crossover music. His public image is tied to his singing voice and the song that first brought him to prominence.