Can anyone condone Bocellism after hearing this?

a very good question! (if we can call it a question) I can't agree with you more! The very first time I heard Bocelli sing years back, I didn't like it. To my opinion and with my limited knowledge of classical music, I feel there is no passion in his singing, there is no TRUE feelings in it, it's almost like the feeling you will get if you ask a 5 year old to say "I love the new medical insurance policy that will pay off our bills"!

I can't be touched by his "nesun dorma" or "che gelida manina" etc as how I would clap my hands off for Pavarotti. Some people argued with me that maybe because he's blind which as we have been reminded all the time, he might not get the feeling as we do. I don't know how or since when he's blind, but can we use it as an excuse to make him the "great tenor after Pavarotti" as some addressed him? while there are many many other better ones who studied hard and worked hard to be at where he is? so they will be able to achieve it only if they pop themselves blind? I feel very unfair for others.

And just for the record, one of my musician friend who is a great violist, was in the orchestra where Bocelli came to sing, he told me "gosh Bocelli got NO voice, it's not like when we play for Pavarotti, you almost have to use ear plugs if you are near him...." why not his PR or himself see the truth (come on, I do think they know he's no good as Tenor) and try to promote him as broadway or pop singer? I guess I will never get a satisfying answer to this one.

This is just my very personal opinion, whoever don't agree with me, please don't take offend.

There really is no comparison between the two. Pavarotti gave a dynamic beautiful performance, while I'm afraid the only compliment I could give to Bocelli is that he sang most of the notes in tune and in time.

Though my preferred tactic on these things is simply to ignore people like Bocelli and instead spend my time listening to those with talent.

Andrea Bocelli, like Josh Grobin (at least these two) are NOT frauds. They are sincere 'entertainers' who dip their wicks in classical rep, though I agree with you there is no real classical delivery there, let alone the expected technique and musicianship.

You can blame, squarely, their PR people, manager, those who make the strategy and write the copy to market these entertainers as "classical." I'm certain the performers have no illusions about singing at the Met or Covent Garden in the near future, at least not in a true classical operatic venue. You cannot blame the public who consume such entertainment. I've seen so many delusional and outraged classical fans comment on this genre of the entertainment industry, all wildly off the mark. They either seem to think:

1) An entire sector of the public is being duped into believing this is true classical music and presentation, and that sector is thence diverted from becoming consumers of the real thing. Bah Humbug and Tommyrot. THAT audience is getting exactly the kind of entertainment they want. They will never buy a sixty pound / one hundred and twenty dollar ticket for a seat in the second balcony on the side, and raptly listen to and watch a full length opera. (you are dreaming, ideally, but dreaming if you think otherwise.)

or 2) Others give a semi-defensive rationale, a palliative sort of argument that this will stir a longing for the real thing amongst the uninitiated, and therefore, for example, "would rather see my children exposed to this," than other 'lesser' pop music. Pop music and pop presentation are all POP (sugar 'n' water, carbonated fizz) regardless if it is Barbra Streisand mangling Hugo Wolf with her tiny voice nearly drowned in a chthonic sea / bubbling hot tub of a synthesizer arrangement, or Andrea Bocelli or Josh Grobin having a go at an opera aria.

I fail to find too, either charm or revulsion in a common enough disability, and common enough to some famous musicians and composers as well. Would someone feel better if Bocelli was quaintly dressed in rags, sitting on the cobblestones in an Italian village, charmingly singing local folk songs while holding out a tin cup? Would we forgive him more if he were a George Shearing or Art Tatum?

I'm not long awake, so my 'social editors' are less in place than usual, ergo I'll close. But, edited, still wonder why some of 'us classical folk' cannot seem to get over this phenomena. '"We," and classical music, have survived Florence Foster Jenkins, Liberace, "Streisand sings the Classics," and all the other pop crossover fol-de-rol that could be.

Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story" has survived the composer-instigated (and advocated) recording of that show with an all star operatic cast + full symphonic ensemble: It Could Not Sound More Ridiculous / Egregious unless it was simply re-done in similar fashion.

Yes, more than anything, I am wearied of seeing these popsters names appear in the classical category (in this instance, again, I could say "Why is this in Classical?"), but so too am weary of 'sheet music' questions, regardless of the repertoire printed on the page / 'Tabs' / "the best ever...composer, pianist, cellist, conductor / the fastest pianist of all time ever - and all the other things ONE SHOULD EXPECT from young people old enough to reach a keyboard and hit "enter."

Since I well recall your resounding statement you don't tolerate stupidity very well (I partially agree - it should not be accepted) I urge you to remember there are several galaxies. distance between true stupidity and youthful naivete - the latter, merely very young (regardless of age, if you are new to something) and not yet fully formed - which most of all includes un-formed and uninformed taste. There will never, truly, be a fully rational accounting for taste.

No, Bocelli and Grobin, Katherine Jenkins, Sarah Brightman and Liberace, or Kieth Jarret, for that matter, did not and never will bump classical music or musicians out of their chair, nor have they ever usurped gigs or revenues from the classical crew. ("Gee, we were thinking Domingo, but then Josh Grobin was mentioned....)

It worries me far more greatly (imho, and a matter of taste) that you hold up Pavarotti instead of Placido Domingo as your link example, merely another kind of pop vs. true classical. (Large Ham with freakishly large good voice can sing; is wildly poopular, VS. World-wide recognized Truly Great Nusician-Singer) Now there, talking about truly discerning between pop vs. pure classical; is a disparity of quality worth fighting for ;-)

Best regards.

"del_icio...", I think you're being a mite hard on the poor fellow. You often to me at least, seem to be not cognizant of the fact that you view any and all things having to do with CM, from a very rarefied perspective.

Being very well-educated as you are, and involved in the musical management profession in which you've be engaged for quite a few years now, gives you a great advantage over most, when it comes to assessing the talent of and rise to prominence of any musical artist.

I've never particularly cared for Mr. Bocelli's singing; but then I've also never given him much thought. A lot of the Seniors I know, just rave about him - much as they did Liberace in years past: Bocelli I can consider, and just respond with, "ho hum"; but then, Liberace.......my evaluation of his......."talent", is best left unexpressed.

My counsel, is, 'lighten up' - fraud is/ an ancient art...not worth getting all upset about,

Alberich

Pavarotti seems to have a much stronger voice,

but I don't understand what you mean by Bocellism.

Do you mean cheap theatrics?

I don't see any cheap theatrics.

PS 2 hours later

If Bocelli's promoters capitalize on his handicap, I haven't been aware of it.

I purchase his CD of La Boheme.

There is no mention of his handicap in the accompanying booklet.

In fact, I never knew he was blind until I read about it in the reviews on the Amazon Website.

You said, "I'm sorry if you didn't realise but 'the Bocellism' is my name for Andrea Bocelli."

How would anyone know that?

"Boccélism is a backyard game that is a blend of boccé, horse shoes and bowling. It is a game of skill, finesse, style and spectacle."

LOL

EDIT: I see. I learned something too :)