November 30 until December 11, 2005

THE ROYAL CHRISTMAS TOUR

featuring: ANDREA BOCELLI, Special Guest DENYCE GRAVES, ROYAL PHILHARMONIC CONCERT ORCHESTRA, WESTMINSTER CONCERT CHOIR, principal & solo dancers from London's Royal Ballet, Winnipeg's Royal Ballet, Russia's Bolshoi Ballet, Ukraine Kyiv Ballet, Shumka Dancers 

 

Nov. 30        UNIONDALE, NY - Nassau Coliseum Uniondale, NY 

Dec.    1        WASHINGTON - MCI Center Washington, DC 

 

 

please read Cami's  report at

Dec.    2        NEW YORK - Madison Square Garden New York, NY 

Excerpt from the Chicago Times,, Dec 2, 2005

Bocelli spoke to the Sun-Times  Chicago, about the holiday show that brings him to the United Center on Tuesday.

Q. What makes this holiday concert special for you?
A. I'm happy because I arrive with a new program. I have performed many
times in Chicago singing the repertoire of an Italian tenor. But they were
my concerts, alone. Now I am in a new framework, one of several artists in a
program, with a repertoire of sacred arias. And I like this because we are
so close to Christmas and these songs give a very important message of peace
to the world.

Q. Is Christmas a special holiday for you?
A. It's the most beautiful holiday of the year. I have many sweet memories
from when I was a child at home. Unfortunately, my father, grandfather and
grandmother are no longer with us, but now I have my own children and it is
a very [special time] for us.

Q. How do your songs spread the message of peace?
A. These pieces are all very sacred music and it is a way for all of us to
pray together, especially in this very troubled [period in our world].

Q. What's the most special gift you ever received for Christmas?
A. That is difficult, but probably something I got when I was a child,
because presents are always more beautiful and special when we are children.

Miriam Di Nunzio

Scandinavian Tour

 Dec. 14, 2005

 HORSENS, Denmark, Forum Horsens 

 

Dec 16, 2005

 Helsinki, Finland, Hartwall Arena

from the Finnish press: ILTA-SANOMAT, Finland 17. 12. 2005 concert at Hartwall Arena, Helsinki (excerpts) by: Essi Henriksson Andrea Bocelli´s voice was gorgeous The Finnish audience was charmed by the sight of Andrea Bocelli. How can a blind man in a black suit hold the audience so in his hands?  Only in one way.  With a totally incredible voice. (...) it was the heart winner Torna a Surriento by De Curtis that excited the audience.  The nervous and humble smiling Bocelli became warmer in his clothes as the concert went on.  He had the audience with him and he filled the arena with his pain.  It feels like this singer describes something with his singing that ordinary people can't see.  (...) The other musicians in the concert yesterday evening were also shining.  The first violinist was allowed to show his power in Mattina by Leoncavallo.  The baritone, Gianfrano Montresor, sang the Chanson du Toreador from Carmen with a twinkle in his eye.  The cooperation with Bocelli started to flower with the soprano Patrizia Orciani. They teary eyed female audience applauded Bocelli and he gave three extra songs.  The tenor started to waltz with the guest soprano at the end of the concert. Bocelli, with his stubble beard and his stage presence, gave this cold winter performance a soul much longed for. When a blind singer sings about love and dreams what can one do except believe?   translation: B.-M. Sjogren (with assistance of Sari (Finland) and Linda (USA)

 

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Dec. 18, 2005

Stockholm, Sweden -  The Globe

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Dec 20, 2005

 Hamar, Norway -  Vikingship Arena

from the Norwegian press: Hamar Dagblad 21. 12. 2005  by Hanne  Nordhagen Karlsen read the Original article here (with picture)   An audience of over 8000 people let themselves be impressed by the beautiful voice of Italian world star when he entered the Vikingship Stage.   Frozen stiff by –14 degrees Celsius outdoors, the audience were warmed by  Andrea Bocelli's emotional voice, and the Vikingship proved that it can with advantage be used for concerts.   (...) Andrea Bocelli was not alone on stage. He had brought two Italian singers as well as The Czech orchestra. The soprano Patrizia Orciani and baritone Gianfranco Montresor added to the musical quality. (...) translation: Y. Wallin   To read original article with pictures go here --------------------------------   NRK HEDMARK OG OPPLAND December 20, 2005   A Fantastic Evening for Hamar By Anne Næsheim, Ola Bjørlo Strande and Ingvar Midthun   Many people were impressed by Andrea Bocelli’s concert at the Viking Ship arena last Tuesday evening. The Mayor of Hamar was indeed impressed by Andrea Bocelli's concert at the Viking Ship arena in Hamar last Tuesday evening. "A fantastic evening for Hamar," Einar Busterud said after the concert.   An audience of more than 8.500 saw Andrea Bocelli at the Viking Ship, and Mayor Einar Busterud says that the town can be very proud of its achievements. "We have proven that we can use the Viking Ship in quite new ways and we can supply Oslo when it comes to arranging big concerts," Busterud said.   An Audience Full of Expectations As early as around six o’clock Tuesday evening, the first people in the audience arrived for the concert. The blind Italian opera star singer has managed to make people from the Inland of Norway to pay between 600 to 1100 Norwegian Krones for their tickets. Aase Jones from Elverum found the performance touching. "I don’t understand much of opera music, but I understand what is beautiful. I very nearly started crying," Aase said about the concert.   Worth Every Krone Astrid Louise Knudsen (13) and her mother Gro from Höland in Akershus are among those who think the concert tonight is worth both the time and money. "We have been driving for 2 hours, but it’s worth it," says mother and Astrid Louise agrees. "I listen to a lot of other music, too, but since both mum and dad play Bocelli at home, it is natural that I get used to that music and like it," Astrid says.   Warmed-Up by a 3 Course Dinner In a warmed-up VIP tent in the parking lot at the Viking Ship, some one hundred guests had a 3 course dinner with wine before the concert. Borgar Bakker and Peder Nafstad normally work for HIAS & Schöyens Bilcentraler, but because of this event, they put on waiter apparel for Storhamar Hockey. "We are volunteering on our spare time and probably won’t see the concert," says Borgar, who thinks that "thank you for the hockey" is more important than the music. Those with VIP tickets in their pockets enjoy themselves having a 3-course dinner before the concert.   Working All Day Today 50 people have been working today in order to get everything fixed and ready in the Viking Ship in time for the concert. There is a lot of equipment to be installed and then taken down again afterwards. "We have been working since 8 o’clock this morning, and we will probably not be finished until 3-4 a.m. tonight", says the stage hand Ola Bratli.   Was Going to Work As a Lawyer Bocelli was born in the Tuscany district in Italy in 1958, and he didn’t plan to become an opera singer. He was educated at law school and he also worked as a lawyer for one year before he became a fulltime singer. Now he is an opera singer and a star, traveling around the world. The Dane Mikkel Brogård is one of those who follows Bocelli around Europe as a production manager. "Bocelli is very pleasant to be around and he does not behave like a diva," Mikkel Brogård says.   More Than Bocelli Those who have come to the Viking Ship tonight will hear more than beautiful singing by Bocelli. The Czech National Symphony Orchestra will also be there, among others. "It is an evening filled with top artists", the head arranger Odd Steinar Pedersen promises, in Hamar's Olympic facilities.   Translated by Yvonne Wallin, posted with  kind permission from the authors, Anne Naesheim, Ola Björlo Strande and Ingvar Midthun   Original article with photos Published by NRK, 20/12 2005, online at http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_hedmark_og_oppland/5337627.html