STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Talk about timing!
Prior to the high-stakes meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy that convened at the White House on Friday, Oct. 17, something wonderful happened.
Andrea Bocelli, the world-renowned Italian tenor — who’s received critical acclaim for his classical crossover style that blends opera with pop music — delivered an impromptu performance in the Oval Office, while President Trump sat behind the famous Resolute Desk.
And here’s now it all happened.
President Donald Trump smiles along with international film producer, Julius Nasso, an Eltingville resident, behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)Staten Island Advance
THE CONNECTION
Julius R. Nasso, the international film producer and businessman who calls Eltingville home, was a guest at the National Italian-American Federation’s 50th Anniversary Gala at the Hilton International in Washington Saturday evening, along with “Maestro” Bocelli, who was an honoree.
Bocelli had been asked to perform at the posh event before a crowd of 2,800, where comedian, Joe Piscopo and news anchor, Maria Bartilomo, served as emcees.
Nasso and Bocelli, who are longtime friends, attended the event together.
The men have collaborated on a number of special projects, inasmuch as Nasso and his son, Frankie, produced and directed Bocelli’s largest-ever concert performance in Beijing, China in 2019.
President Donald Trump meets with Andrea Bocelli in the Oval Office, Friday, October 17, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)Staten Island Advance
Prior to the NIAF’s 50th Anniversary Gala, Bocelli asked Nasso if he could get in touch with President Trump to see if it was possible for the two to partake in a private meeting.
Nasso obliged, and said he would reach out to one of President Trump’s aides in hopes of arranging the meeting between Bocelli, his family, and Nasso, since they were all going to be in D.C. for the annual affair.
Within a few minutes, President Trump’s aide answered in the affirmative with an “absolutely,” and requested the small entourage arrive at the White House at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, a meeting scheduled just prior to President Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy.
President Donald Trump smiles along with Andrea Bocelli and his son Amos, in the Oval Office, Friday, October 17, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)Staten Island Advance
“We went to the White House all together — Andrea, his wife, Veronica, his son Amos, the gifted pianist who often accompanies his father during concerts, and myself,” said Nasso. “The President scheduled meetings back to back. And a 20-minute meeting turned out to be an hour and 20 minutes.”
President Donald Trump meets with Andrea Bocelli and his wife, Veronica Berti, in the Oval Office, Friday, October 17, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)Staten Island Advance
Nasso went on to explain that President Trump often has Bocelli’s music reverberating throughout the White House — and that day was no exception: The arias could be heard vividly as the group entered the Oval Office.
President Donald Trump meets with Andrea Bocelli in the Oval Office, Friday, October 17, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)Staten Island Advance
“The President greeted us and addressed Andrea by saying ‘It’s so nice to have you here.’” Nasso continued.
And when President Trump asked about Nasso’s projects, he explained he recently finished a big series for attorney/political commentator Ben Shapiro with a release date of Christmas — and that he was also in the middle of writing a book.
PRESIDENT TRUMP’S REQUEST
President Trump would then make a request of his own.
He asked if it was possible for Nasso to produce a concert at the White House for members of the Cabinet and generals, to which Nasso said, “Of course, Mr. President.”
And with that the President called in his scheduler. Together they asked Nasso if a Dec. 5 calendar date would work.
“I want this to be bigger than the Bocelli concert you produced for President Xi,” the President said with a chuckle.
The concert, which is now in the works, will be staged in the Grand Ballroom of the White House, and scheduled to take place just two days before the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, which President Trump is hosting.
SPECIAL PHONE CALLS
As the meeting progressed, President Trump made several calls — one of which was to Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy.
“I have somebody here who wants to say hello,” President Trump said before putting the speaker on so that Bocelli and Meloni could speak together in the Italian language.
President Donald Trump meets with Andrea Bocelli in the Oval Office, Friday, October 17, 2025. Andrea Bocelli, his son, Amos, Bocelli’s wife, Veronica erti and Julius Nasso. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)Staten Island Advance
And with that President Trump asked Bocelli if he would sing along with the music.
“It’s kind of early in the morning – and I usually have to prepare myself,” said the Italian tenor. But he nonetheless began serenading everyone in the room to the tune of “Con te Partiro” — “A Time to Say Goodbye.”
Bocelli does speak a little English, but when he found himself hesitating, Nasso and Bocelli’s wife, Veronica Berti — who speaks perfect English — translated.
President Trump would then phone his wife, Melania, “Do you hear the music? I have Andrea Bocelli here in the office. And he promised he would do a concert for us here on Dec. 5.”
And with that President Trump ushered the group into a room right off the Oval Office called “The Toy Room” which is filled with patriotic memorabilia.
President Donald Trump meets with Andrea Bocelli, his son, Amos and Julius Nasso in the Oval Office, Friday, October 17, 2025. President Trump is seen here signing a copy of Newsweek for Nasso. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)Staten Island Advance
He then proceeded to sign Nasso’s Time Magazine cover and presented him with the presidential pen that was used to sign the periodical.
Nasso has crossed paths with President Trump over the years through myriad projects.
President Trump signed Nasso’s “Under Siege” poster at a time when Nasso was roasted at The Friar’s Club in Manhattan back in 1995. Trump even referred to it as a time when they were “kids.”
They also interacted at a wedding at Mir-a-Lago a couple of years ago, that Nasso produced at the request of President Trump.
MORE CONNECTIONS
Nasso revealed the first he met Bocelli was at a performance with Terry Semel and Bob Daly, then co-CEOs of Warner Brothers, at Bocelli’s first concert performance at Madison Square Garden.
Fifteen years later a friend of Nasso’s named Tony Renis, the world renowned music composer and Golden Globe recipient, re-introduced them. In fact, Renis has written a number of Bocelli’s greatest hits including being a co-writer of “The Prayer,” said Nasso.
Knowing Nasso’s philanthropic nature, Bocelli thought there might be some synergy between his work and the Andrea Bocelli Foundation.
Over the years, Nasso has become very involved with the Bocelli Foundation, that empowers individuals and communities facing poverty, illiteracy and illness through humanitarian projects.
THEIR DEPARTURE
As they left the Oval Office and walked down the long corridor, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and members of the Cabinet could be seen waiting to enter the Oval Office for the meeting with Zelenskyy.
As President Trump exited the office he announced that Andrea Bocelli would be singing for them on Dec. 5.
“Right Jules? To which Nasso replied ”Absolutely!”
And with that, the men shook hands.
THE CONCERT
Nasso’s biggest challenge is to produce the concert bigger and better than his last Bocelli concert for President Xi.
Nasso will return to the White House this week with his son, Frankie Nasso, in order to make arrangements, and scope out the Grand Ballroom’s production stage and sets.
CELEBRATIONS – OCT. 26 TO NOV. 1
Sunday is birthday time for Nora Rosati, Anthony Philip Benanti, Andrew Maroney, Margaret LaMantia, Dawn Geralyn Greco, triplets Samantha, Robert and Kaitlyn Coughlan, Kim Ferrulli, Vince Mahoney and Elizabeth Kwolek.
Happy wedding anniversary Sunday to Joan and Artie Waldhelm, to Diane and Doug Wellington, and to Lisa and Philip Badalamenti II.
OCT. 27
Birthday wishes are in order Monday for Timothy Harrison who turns 32, for Michael Proffitt, Tom Furnari, Daniel S. Barbaria who turns 31, Janine DeSanto, Rich Kane, Reginald Patrick, Julie Giovinazzo-Nodelman, Joanna Marie Gray and Aurelia Curtis. ¶
Susan and Doug Starace celebrate an anniversary Monday. as well as Sierra and Frank Valledolmo.
OCT. 28
Birthday greetings Tuesday go to Jay Chazanoff, Justine Cauldwell, Antoinette Alexandrini, twins Alexca and Christian Crimeni, Daniel Tramontano, John Adam Sorkvist, Jacqueline Rivera and twins Marie Cataldo and Elizabeth McDermott and Gina Gioeli.
OCT. 29
Birthday best on Wednesday to John Bozza, Robyn Eldridge, Alesha Mercardo, Beth Rober, Christopher Sean Smith, Linda Coughlin, Sally King, and Mary T. Gormley.
Wedding anniversary wishes Wednesday go to Fran and John Hvidsten who celebrate on Wedneesday.
OCT. 30
Happy birthday on Thursday to Naezir Papraniku, Connor Coughlin, Anna Rosa, Everett Jon Benanti, who turns 10, Gina Stavola, who also marks an anniversary with husband Thomas on Oct. 31, Lynne Schlichtinger, Lucy Krone, Vincent “Mantle” Bertinelli, Michael Day, Pete Ferrulli, Kenny Downing and Emily Longo.
Happy wedding anniversary Thursday to Nikki and Danny Schnell.
OCT. 31
Birthday greetings on Friday go to Joyce Gheraldi, Jennifer and Christina Randazzo, Tony Lordo Sr., Ellen McHugh, Joseph Falcone, Eileen Downing, Michael Putney, Darrin Porter and Tom Andersen.
Happy wedding anniversary Friday to Jillian and Tim Rose.
NOV. 1
Celebrating birthdays on Saturday are Judith Driscoll and her daughter Beth, Jasmine Mercado and twins Sebastian and Ilirian Popinara, who are now 13.
Saturday is wedding anniversary time for Lynn and Terry McHugh.
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