Q&A with Matteo Bocelli

Singer, songwriter, and musician Matteo Bocelli grew up surrounded by music. He began to play piano at the age of six and made his stage debut at the Rome Colosseum when he was just 19. He rose to international fame in 2018, when the duet he co-wrote with his father, “Fall on Me,” topped the Billboard 200 and the UK Official Album chart. He spoke with Crescendo about making music, his upcoming debut album, and what’s next for him.

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You have been praised for your ability to handle a wide range of musical styles, from opera arias to sacred hymns to pop songs. What do you think are the key elements that make a great performance, regardless of the style of music?

To me a great performance is a balance of skill and emotion. A performance can be technically perfect but leave you totally cold. The greatest musicians don’t just sound great, they make you feel something, too.

What can fans expect from your highly anticipated first solo album, out this September?

There have been a lot of challenges in my life over the last few years, and working on this album was a great outlet. It’s been an exciting journey. I’ve learned a lot about myself and grown a lot. My biggest hope is that I’m able to deliver beautiful music that conveys my emotions during this new and exciting time in my life. I hope the audience will get a chance to know me a bit better.

You come from a family of musicians and recorded a spectacular Christmas album with your sister and your father. How has growing up in a musical family influenced your own music career?

Growing up, I was surrounded by every genre of music. There was an array of sounds — from classical arias to Motown to Queen — drifting through the house. I didn’t really differentiate. Music was music whether it was opera, rock, or pop. I developed a very eclectic ear. We were encouraged to play and enjoy music, but never pressured. There was never an expectation that we had to follow in my father’s footsteps. In fact, it came as a real surprise to him when I decided I wanted to make it my career.

You have performed with your father, Andrea Bocelli, on multiple occasions. What has been your favorite performance or collaboration with him?

I will never forget the first time I performed at Madison Square Garden, where I joined my dad on stage. We’d just released our duet, “Fall On Me,” and neither of us expected the international reaction to it. We were totally blown away. My father’s album, Sí, which the track is on, had just debuted at number 1 in the US and UK — a first for a classical crossover artist. That particular show, even though we were in the US, felt like a homecoming. It was electric. The audience was incredible.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from him about music, or maybe just about life?

Nothing comes easy — you have to work for it. My dad has an incredible work ethic. It’s not enough to be talented. You have to put the hours of practice in, you have to make sacrifices. It’s not always glamorous.

Your hit single, “Solo,” which you will perform at Festival Napa Valley, is about having to face your own fragility. What inspired you to write this song?

“Solo” is a very personal song for me. It is inspired by the feeling of being alone. I wrote “Solo” during the pandemic when I began to reflect on this feeling. It is something that I felt as a child, watching my father travel the world, leaving my brother and me at home. But I also realized my father was experiencing those same feelings, on the road without his family and friends. Now I’m the one traveling alone and those same feelings have resurfaced. It’s a relatable song. We’ve all been lonely, we’re all on our own journey, facing our own challenges.

You have talked about the importance of authenticity in your music. How do you stay true to yourself as an artist, and what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who seek to find their own voice and style?

To create authentic music you must be honest with yourself about who you are, what is important to you, and what makes you happy. Of course, the answer looks different for everyone but what’s important is self-reflection. In addition, the time spent not making music is as important as the time spent making it. You can’t make good music if you don’t have anything to say, and you won’t have anything to say if you aren’t experiencing anything else.

You have mentioned that you are interested in exploring other creative endeavors beyond music. Can you share any details about future projects?

I am putting all of my focus towards my new album right now, but I hope to continue acting in the future after releasing this album! I had an amazing time working with George Miller and Idris Elba on Three Thousand Years of Longing. It was a completely new experience for me, totally out of my comfort zone but I just loved it. It’s also really sparked an interest in doing more soundtrack work, too, so that’s something I’d love to explore more in the future.

We are thrilled you can join us in Napa. Tell us, what are you most looking forward to?

I love Napa Valley. It is a special place for me because it reminds me of the countryside in Tuscany. I’m really looking forward to performing in such a beautiful setting, one that I could call a home away from home. Being surrounded by beautiful landscapes, enjoying great food and company, and, of course, tasting the wonderful Napa wine!