Andrea Bocelli: Pop

Whether it's creamy and romantic, exuberant or prayerful, Andrea Bocelli delivers a popular song like it was written with him in mind; the Italian tenor interprets lyrics in English and his native tongue with the same pure connection to their core that he brings to his lauded operatic performances. And Bocelli likewise brings out the best in his duet partners: On "The Prayer," a Golden Globe® winner (also nominated for an Oscar® and a GRAMMY®), he and Céline Dion intertwine their gossamer voices like butterflies gliding on a meadow breeze. "Time to Say Goodbye" finds Bocelli and Sarah Brightman fighting back tears as love slips away, and on "Somos novios," a Spanish-language reading of the Perry Como classic "It's Impossible," it's Christina Aguilera's turn to share an impossibly romantic slow-dance with Bocelli.

In Next Steps, we'll hear Signor Bocelli step confidently outside the ring of romance.

On occasion, Bocelli likes to stretch his boundaries, putting the dreamlike romanticism on the shelf for an uptempo romp with synthesizers and a rhythm section ("Il Diavolo e l'Angelo") or the Spanish-flavored "Jurame," which finds him dancing on a Mediterranean beach alongside violins and a flamenco guitar. The sweeping "Nel Cuore Lei" pairs Bocelli with another Italian superstar, singer-songwriter Eros Ramazzotti, on a tender ballad that brushes surprisingly — and delectably — close to the sweet heart of American R&B. The bluesy "Miserere" places Bocelli in an unlikely trio, with the Italian rock star Zucchero and opera great Luciano Pavarotti. Then there's "Ave Maria" — a cornerstone of every vocalist's repertoire, from pop to classical – given the full range of Bocelli's shiver-inducing vibrato.

It's one thing to sing a romantic or inspirational song; it's quite another to actually tug at the heartstrings, or bring a tear to the eye, with the opening notes. After a brief career practicing law, Tuscan-born Andrea Bocelli realized he had the gift of absolute communication — his rich, soaring tenor was a conduit straight to his heart. From "Because We Believe" and "Go Where Love Goes" (a duet with teenage soprano Holly Stell), to his fall-to-the-knees reading of Elvis' "Can't Help Falling in Love," Bocelli's English-language songs are spun gold. And whether or not you believe that old line about music being the universal language, it's hard to deny the strong undercurrent of passion in his readings of "Con te partiro," "Amapola," or that Italian standby "O Sole Mio" — Bocelli needs to get your attention for only a split-second to get the point across. And then you're his.