Center Presents: Matteo Bocelli: A Night With Matteo

Rising classical crossover star Matteo Bocelli is blazing a trail, selling out tours in Europe, North America and Australia. From his first appearance on the single “Fall on Me” with his father, Andrea Bocelli, in 2018 to singing a reimagined version of “Time to Say Goodbye” with a new composition from Hans Zimmer at the 2024 Oscars, his career has been going from strength to strength. Bocelli’s 2023 self-titled debut album displays all the facets of his artistry—not just his strong yet vulnerable vocal style, but his songwriting as well. The record also features the singer’s hero, Ed Sheeran, who wrote “Chasing Stars” for Bocelli, a sweeping ballad that shows off Bocelli’s upper register.

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Matteo Bocelli: The focus will be on my music that I’ve been working on [for] the last couple of years. I released my first album, “Matteo,” which I am very proud of, and at the same time, [a focus] on music that I’ve been listening to since I was a child. I always say that you can’t regret your childhood and you can’t regret the music that made you. I was listening to [music] from Queen, Eminem, Ed Sheeran, but I was also listening to opera and all of the incredible voices in the pop world from Sinatra to Whitney Houston. So, [my concert] will be a journey that will start with my music, and we’ll be touching some of those masterpieces that everybody knows and, again, that made my childhood.

JM: What are your thoughts on the importance of preserving and performing songs from iconic artists like you just referenced?

MB: Every time I touch those pieces of music, I always focus on trying to do them in the most humble way. After having heard these amazing songs performed by Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston or Aretha Franklin—all of these incredible artists—I think, what could I give more than them? In the end, we are all human beings with our stories to tell and our feelings to express. I think in our own unique way, we can release a vibration to give to people—a good one—so for me, it is very important to keep writing because I feel the need to do it, and it’s important to keep alive those [iconic] songs that don’t need my voice but, I think, make the night even more fascinating.

JM: From your debut album, the song “Chasing Stars” was written by Ed and Matthew Sheeran. Will you share more about that collaboration and how it helped shape that song?

MB: For me, it’s been a dream collaboration because I’ve been following Ed [Sheeran] since the beginning of his career. I remember his opening for Taylor Swift, and when he was releasing “The A Team” and “Lego House.” It happened casually and randomly that I received this song [“Chasing Stars”] written by Ed and his brother Matthew, who is also an incredible musician. It’s about chasing our dreams and things that make us happy. I’ve been lucky because I’ve been able to make music, and [“Chasing Stars”] is a beautiful story to tell.

JM: What was the concept or inspiration behind your debut album?

MB: I didn’t make a concept album… that sometimes happens, but for me, it was more an album about Matteo and my first real introduction [artistically] to the world. I simply enjoy writing music and the songs that touched me the most, [so] I basically put them into the first record.

JM: What continues to drive and inspire you as an artist?

MB: I do love to be inspired by life, in general. We can be inspired every day, every morning, when we wake up and are surrounded by people… their lives and their stories. I try to get info and feelings from everything that’s around me, basically.

JM: How has performing with your father [Andrea Bocelli] influenced your own artistic journey?

MB: Obviously, there is a lot to learn from him. Definitely one of the things that I appreciate the most is the way he has approached his life and career. Behind his career is a lot of hard work. He became successful when people usually end their careers and [become] famous music. I definitely learn so much by traveling and performing with him, and, yes, I’m very grateful.

JM: Speaking of being grateful, one of the things that I am grateful for is the gift that you and your family gave to the world… “A Family Christmas.” That was such a cathartic and joyful album that came out at a time your fans needed it the most. The greatest gift, if you will, was making us pause and reflect on what really matters… our family and friends. What is your takeaway from creating that project?

MB: We definitely did that project in a very specific moment of everyone’s lives. It’s been challenging for everyone, no? You read in between the lines of the title of one of the songs that is “The Greatest Gift”—there’s a line that says “Gather friends and family ‘round the table”… I think everything starts from that. Family and friends are so important to every one of us because if we’re not able to create a status of peace and positive energies between our family and friends, then it is hard to be able to help others. I try to build my better world from that little [friends and family] society, to spread that idea to the world, and that was my goal with this project, basically.

JM: Aside from this tour and the joy you’re getting from doing that, what’s next for you?

MB: I think one of the most beautiful parts of my career is to be traveling the world and meeting new people. Concerts are very important for me because [they are] the way to spread your music and connect with people—going back to the topic of society. I am also looking for some time to write music and focus on a specific project. Hopefully, this is all going to happen at the beginning of 2025, and at the end of next year, I should have a second record!

JM: What would you like for people to take away from an evening with you in Carmel?

MB: Through my music, I always try to spread a message and show them the real Matteo, in person, make some music and make the discussion light and fun. Music can be healing, but it can also be a way to sometimes distract… to simply have a lovely night. My goal is to leave a beautiful memory of us.