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Cairo
Theater of Sound and Lights
August 27, 2003

TG2, Cairo 27. 8. 2005

 
Bocelli a fourth pyramid on the Giza Plateau

By Randa A. Mustafa

A mental skim through the literature on Andrea Bocelli quickly reveals that very little remains unsaid. Yet, as an Egyptian fortunate enough to have attended Bocelli’s “Hope for Peace” concert at the open-air “Sound and Lights” theatre in Cairo last week, I feel the need to add to the
repertoire.

Like countless others I too have long regarded the qualities of Andrea Bocelli, the man and the voice with profound respect, admiration and inspiration. However the tenor’s entrancing performance last week at the footsteps of the Pyramids took these words to new heights.

The incredible evening surpassed the exceptional in every way imaginable, as it seemed to cradle the very best of the world’s past and present in a single pocket in time. Andrea’s pristine, heavenly voice accompanied by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra under the magical conduction of Maestro Marcello Rota, soprano Maria Luisa Borsi and violin soloist Ruther Rodgers, wowed the enchanted audience over time and time again, with soul-caressing interpretations of arias such as “E Lucevan le Stelle,” and “Marechiare,” as well as Neapolitan favorites, which included “Torna a Surriento,” and “O Sole Mio.” Outdoing himself with each piece he performed Andrea made it difficult to decide which he sang best, and even more so to leave the scene at the end of the performance.

TG2, Cairo 27. 8. 2005

Throughout our modern history, we Egyptians have often alluded to great men and women of the world as “pyramids,” as a tribute to their magnificence and to the ways in which they have touched our lives. There is little doubt that the night Bocelli sang at the footsteps of the Pyramids, a fourth Pyramid stood on the plateau of Giza. “Grazie Tanto,” Andrea for giving us this truly historic evening.

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