An interview with Matteo Bocelli, who’s quickly forging his own musical path

The young Italian tenor, who will perform Monday in Tampa, seeks to continue the legacy of his famous name, but also create his own .

Matteo Bocelli, the son of famed tenor Andrea Bocelli, is making a stop in Tampa on March 10 during the international tour of his album, “A Night With Matteo.”

Matteo Bocelli’s vocal talent is undeniable, but with it also comes great expectations.

His last name is synonymous with a voice that has moved the world, and from a young age, he understood that his path in music would be accompanied by comparisons and the need to forge his own artistic identity.

Bocelli has grown up under the gaze of an audience that knows and admires the voice of his father, famed tenor Andrea Bocelli. From an early age, he realized that his journey was not just about continuing a legacy, but about building his own.

“It doesn’t bother me that I’m compared to my father,” Matteo Bocelli told CENTRO Tampa on March 8 before his Monday, March 10, show at the Straz Center. “I was born this way, with a last name that has traveled the world, and I simply have to be proud because, in the end, I feel like the public loves my father, and that should be nothing but a source of inspiration for me.”

With discipline and dedication, he has carved out his own space within the music scene, blending classical and contemporary influences. In his first performance in Tampa, he said he seeks to showcase not only his vocal prowess but also his closeness with the audience and his view of music as a bridge between generations.

Among musicians and tours

Since childhood, Matteo Bocelli has been surrounded by both recorded and live melodies, which contributed to his artistic identity. He began singing as a child and playing the piano at the age of 6.

He is the son of Andrea Bocelli and his first wife, Enrica Cenzatti. He was born in Forte dei Marmi, a coastal town in Tuscany, and although music has always been present in his life, at first, he was shy about singing in front of his renowned father.

Growing up in a home where music was a mainstay allowed him to develop a natural connection with the art of sound.

“Music is something that enriches us all, it makes us feel good and helps people in general,” he said.

The singer recalled how, as a child, he dreamed of performing.

“When I was little, I dreamed of someday being able to perform on a stage. Today it’s my reality, and what I do I love so much that I don’t feel it as a job,” he said.

Over time, he honed his talent by studying voice at the Luigi Boccherini Conservatory in Lucca. His debut as a tenor was at 18 years old at the Teatro del Silenzio, an event organized by his father.

His passion for music led him to embark on a journey that has embedded him within the contemporary music scene.

Together with his father, he has visited a variety of countries, and as a result of these travels, has developed an interest in genres that have been influencing his artistic identity.

“I was raised with classical music and opera, but also with pop, rap, and rock, because in the end, we are the result of our experiences and what we listen to,” he explained. His music lies at a crossroads between pop and the more traditional elements of classical music.

“Today, you’d probably place me in a musical world that is between pop and a more classical note,” he added.

His repertoire combines original pieces and versions of iconic songs that have marked his life.

“We are the sum of our experiences and what we listen to,” he said. The first steps toward stardom

He participated with his father and sister Virginia in the album “A Family Christmas,” which became the best-selling Christmas album of 2022. He has also ventured into modeling as part of a Guess campaign alongside Jennifer Lopez in 2018.

His first solo album marked a milestone in the young singer’s career.

In September 2023, he released his self-titled debut album, inspired by his life experiences and with songs about love and friendship. In the project, he collaborated with Ed Sheeran on the song “Chasing Stars.”

“It was an achievement, an accomplishment, and a starting point,” he said.

From the very beginning, he always had the desire to record his own music, and seeing his work materialized in a physical album brought him an indescribable feeling.

“It’s incredible to have, in an album, all the effort of the last two years. Within it are all the people I’ve worked with, the experiences shared, and even the disagreements that arise in the creative process,” he said.

The album release also marked the start of his international tour.

“We’ve done more than 80 concerts in the last two years and sold over 100,000 tickets,” he said. Despite coming from a family with a recognized musical legacy, he was surprised by the reception his solo project has had.

Matteo explained that the inspiration to write his songs can come from various sources.

“Sometimes it starts from a personal experience, other times from a value, a story that has moved me, a book, or even a movie,” he said. For him, any element can become the starting point for a melody, which he later transforms into music and lyrics.

The composition process also involves introspective work, where he seeks to capture genuine emotions in each piece.

“I always try to draw inspiration from what’s around me,” he said, emphasizing the importance of being open to the experiences that nourish his art.

In his debut as a singer, he had the opportunity to collaborate with various artists. Among them, his work with Sofía Carson on “If I Knew,” an emotional ballad exploring the intensity of love found and lost, stands out. Released four months ago, the song has been well received by the public. He also collaborated in 2022 with Colombian singer Sebastián Yatra on “Tu Luz Quedó,” as well as performing the English and Italian versions of the song “Until She’s Gone” / “Un Attimo di Te.”

“Those were very beautiful collaborations. Besides being great artists, they are wonderful people,” he said. For him, talent is important, but he values even more the human quality of those around him in the creative process.

Among the musicians he admires most, he mentioned Sheeran.

“He is one of the greatest talents in today’s music and, at the same time, a very genuine person,” he said.

He said he seeks to continue learning from artists who have been able to connect with the audience through their authenticity.

On the stage

Performing his music before a large audience is described by him as a unique experience.

“It’s like being enveloped by a positive energy all at once,” he said. That energy becomes a driving force that fuels each of his performances.

Bocelli, in his visit to Tampa, explained that singing in front of a big crowd can be easier than performing in more intimate spaces.

“When there’s a smaller audience, you can feel all the gazes, and a different proximity is created. You can scrutinize the entire audience, it’s a more intimate connection with the crowd,” he said. On the other hand, in larger venues, he believes there’s a sense of immersion that facilitates the performance, though there’s more distance from the audience.

“Large audiences are beautiful because you can reach more people with a single performance, but at the same time, there’s a little more distance.”

He said his goal in music is to build an identity while maintaining an authentic essence in each of his performances. Although the family legacy is undeniable, his focus is on developing his career with a distinctive mark.

During his time in Tampa, Matteo Bocelli offers a show designed to bring the audience closer to that artistic essence.

“This first tour is like a business card, a way of showing who I am,” he said. His show, “A Night With Matteo,” was conceived with the intention of creating an intimate and close atmosphere.

“With this performance, I want people to feel like they’re in a gathering with friends, with music, stories and a piano. A simple evening among friends where music is made, we get to know each other, where I talk a little about myself and present my music, but also the music I grew up with,” he said.

Regarding his future projects, he shared a reflection on his view of life and music: “Life is present, it’s neither past nor future. I’m happy with the moment I’ve reached and am already working on what’s coming,” he said.