The legendary Italian tenor revisited the music that launched him onto the world stage during a sweeping two-night celebration of his career, joined by special guests including Jennifer Hudson and David Foster
Andrea Bocelli brought more than three decades of music to the Hollywood Bowl this week, transforming the iconic Los Angeles venue into an evening of opera, pop, Hollywood star power and philanthropy.
The legendary Italian tenor took the stage Sept. 15 and 16 as part of his Romanza – 30th Anniversary World Tour, celebrating the iconic album that helped introduce Bocelli to an international audience. The Los Angeles stop paired the brilliance of a full orchestra conducted by Steven Mercurio, a choir, dancers and a lineup of special guests.
Bocelli began the evening firmly rooted in his classical repertoire, performing works associated with composers including Giuseppe Verdi, Charles Gounod and Giacomo Puccini. The production expanded beyond the tenor himself, with soprano Aida Garifullina, bass Edward Parks and violinist Rusanda Panfili joining the program, alongside vocalist Pia Toscano.
The evening also returned repeatedly to Romanza. In one of the show’s more intimate moments, Bocelli sat at the piano to revisit music from the album, including “Romanza” and “Il Mare Calmo Della Sera,” with Toscano also featured during the segment.
Credit: Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva
But some of the night’s biggest surprises came toward the end.
Jennifer Hudson joined Bocelli onstage for two duets, including “The Prayer,” with producer and composer David Foster at the piano. Hudson and Bocelli’s performance brought together two powerhouse voices whose musical worlds span opera, pop, R&B and film. Foster remained at the piano for another standout moment as Toscano delivered “All by Myself.”
Credit: Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva
Credit: Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva
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The concert also made room for a distinctly Los Angeles moment off the musical program.
Bocelli then came out wearing a custom 1 of 1 Los Angeles Lakers letterman jacket with “Bocelli 30” written on the back, which was made available for purchase to the highest bidder. The jacket will also be signed by Andrea Bocelli himself.
The proceeds were directed to the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, the nonprofit Bocelli and his family established in 2011. The organization focuses on empowering children, young people and communities through educational programs and initiatives designed to address poverty, social exclusion and other barriers to opportunity.
Credit: Yeva Ohanjanyan
The charitable moment added another dimension to a night largely devoted to celebrating Bocelli’s career and the music that made Romanza an international success.
Near the end of the performance, Bocelli finally spoke at greater length to the crowd, reflecting on the years that have passed since he first performed at the Hollywood Bowl and thanking Los Angeles audiences for continuing to show up for him.
Thirty years after Romanza helped propel his voice around the world, the Hollywood Bowl shows offered a reminder of just how expansive Bocelli’s musical reach has become — from 19th-century opera to Hollywood soundtracks and pop duets, all under one of Los Angeles’ most recognizable stages.