Andrea at The Izod Center

[NicoleMarie12]

I have just returned from another absolutely breath taking performance.

My fourth time, still felt like the first.

There is a feeling that exists only in the experience of being in his presence. It is the feeling of seeing him with my plain eyes and not through a television screen. It's hearing him and knowing that his voice is not coming from a stereo but flowing directly from him to me. It is a feeling that I cannot experience anywhere else. Although I am only 20 years old I have experienced a lifetime and no where in the world have I found the feeling that he gives me. In a time when this world is so desperately in need of something beautiful, in him, I believe we have found it.

As even David Foster pointed out, the weather is quite bad this evening. Funny actually, because tonight was the first snow of the season which is quite late for this part of the country. The last month has been unseasonably warm including yesterday even. Yet tonight, when Andrea came to perform, even nature came out to greet him by putting on the most beautiful show it can, the winter's first snow. And even the wind, slush, snow, and horrendous traffic couldn't keep us away. Luckily I didn't miss any of the performance but some unfortunate fans missed the entire first half of the show. Yet they still came. Knowing that they would have to brave the storm and that they may miss part of the show they still came because something in him draws us to him. There is a quality about him that I cannot describe and cannot ignore. It is what makes him the man that we all love and will do almost anything for.

I believe it goes unsaid that his performance was amazing. In his usual form, the first half of the show he sang songs from his classical repertoire and the second half from his newest album. And we were also lucky enough to see the fabled wardrobe change as he slipped out of his black tux into his all white outfit that we have all recently become so familiar with. One of my favorite moments was during Blue Christmas in which he shared a duet with Katharine Mcphee. About half way into the song during some instrumentals she snuck in a quick slow dance which brought out one of the most beautiful smiles I have over seen on his face. The chemistry between them was wonderful and brought a smile to everyones face. Unlike the veteran sopranos and superstars Andrea usually performs with, Mcphee is relatively new to the scene and she brought a real sense of newness and excitement that I think everyone enjoyed, especially Andrea. At the end of another performance he even grabbed her and picked her up for a hug! Another special moment was Andrea's performance of Ave Maria where he played the piano himself. It's incredible to see how much talent this man has inside him and how lucky we all are that he has decided to share it with us.

Of course by the end of the night he had the crowd roaring and cheering. He finished the Christmas songs with Adeste Fidelis and we thought the night was done. But then he came back for an encore and left once more. After much cheering he came back again for his final song Con Te Partiro which he sang with soprano Ana Maria Martinez. And then he was gone. Or so we thought. We stayed cheering and whistling and clapping till our hands turned blue and he came out again. He waved and bowed and left the stage. But we stayed clapping. I clapped until I could no longer feel my hands, and my face ached from smiling. And then he came back. He sang Nessun Dorma and left us for the final time. And even now, as I sit here writing this, hours after I watched him leave the stage for the final time, I find myself left with a ridiculously huge smile on my face. And this is the feeling that I wrote about that I can find only in him and his music. If you share my sentiments you know the feeling I'm talking about. The overwhelming excitement and warmth that fills every part of your being. The feeling of total completeness and contentment.

For all of those who have this incredible experience ahead of them, I envy you. If you are anything like me, this will be a night that you will never forget and that will live vividly in your memory forever.

And to Andrea himself. I don't believe the words exist in English or Italian to say what I want to say to you. But I can say from the bottom of my heart that I love you. Thank you for everything.

[Renate]

thank you so much for your moving and interesting report Nicole Marie.it must have been a wonderful evening but sad to hear about teh bad weather.

[Big Fan Sue]

I was there, too, and it was a beautiful concert -- almost like two concerts. The opera arias were lovely and it was so nice to hear and see Ana Maria Martinez. Her lovely soprano voice blends so well with Andrea's tenor voice.
Christmas part of the show was a special treat and certainly put me into the holiday mood. The duet of "What Child is This" with Mary J. Blige was so powerful. The audience was going crazy.
Can't get any better than a Bocelli concert with opera and Christmas!
That IZOD venue had some severe problems -- especially the parking which we prepaid and turned out to be a nightmare. We were lucky to get to our seats on time.
BFSue

[NicoleMarie12]

The weather didn't bother me one bit! I love the winter and have been waiting for the snow for months. So the fact that it finally arrived the same night as Andrea just added to the magic of the evening!

[MimaTerri]

I, too, was at the concert at the Izod Center - my 11th time seeing Mr. Bocelli live. It was as fabulous as everyone has been writing. The first time
I saw Mr. Bocelli was New Years Eve in 1999 and I have been waiting for a Christmas cd and show to happen for 10 years. My husband surprised me with these tickets to the show, as I really didn't think I would be able to go.

NicoleMarie12, you have captured in writing all the emotions I also have for Mr. Bocelli and I completely understand how you feel. His music puts me in such a beautiful, peaceful place with a smile on my face, always. Sometimes I am at a loss for words when it comes to how I feel about Mr. Bocelli - you described it all beautifully.!!

Thanks........

[Cami McNamee]

Nicole Marie, I was truly touched by the emotions you expressed in your report. You found the words for the feelings so many of us share about Andrea and the blessing he is in our life. Thank you so much.

Cami

[goldasardar]

i was at the izod center it was an amzing night like a dream come true it was my first time to see andrea bocelli live and i didnt believe it was happening the tears just came out naturaly i love him so much he has a great personality it accompanies his beautiful emotional voice i just love him i didnt care about the snow or the weather i wore agown and high heels and i enjoyed every minute of it