[align=center]Andrea Bocelli in Concert
Acc by Czech National Orchestra
Prague Chamber choir
Conductor Marcello Rota
Soprano Daniella Bruera
Barotone Gianfranco Montresor
Special Guest Rosalia Misseri[/align]
After many months of waiting came the day for my first visit to an Andrea Bocelli concert. I had ordered my tickets in April - they arrived last Friday!! Worry no of course not - I was getting frantic! I ended up calm and on a cloud , my other half David frantic with worry - he is more used to driving a tractor round quiet fields and was dragged from his communing with nature to drive me into the wilds of Birmingham city centre. It is a straightforward drive just up to junction 3 and up the Hagley road , until you you request an AA traffic route off the internet. ' I thought you said it was easy' he said. 'It is ' I replied ' only one road after leaving junction 3'. 'Hmmm' he replied. We were alright till we got into town then the panic set in. Where was the parking , signs point the way but never reassure. Eventually we parked . Then we had to find out way back to the ristorante where I had been invited to meet Gill and Lelly
,we found it after being misdirected twice, to find a confused Italian gentleman on the door who thought we had made a reservation he didn't know about! We were eventually spotted by Gills husband who had guessed who we were and rescued us. We had a delicious meal with some lovely people( is it Andreas lovely nature which inspires such bon ami). Thanks to Gills husband for the generous treat. Then we wandered round to the NIA, my heart beating a little faster with every step.
At last the orchestra files in and begins to tune up, the lights go down, and the stage is illuminated and the conductor walks on and the concert begins.
We have been lucky we have aisle side seats and my view in unobstructed
though a little distant. So while I admired Andrea , David drooled over the soprano! Gill had said he is more handsome in real life , I didn't believe but I should have. His voice more beautiful. Tears were pricking my eyes as he sang Brindisi and The Pearl fishers duet(which has always been a favourite from my younger years, wonderful with Gianfranco Montresor.
For the last quarter he changed into his white jacket ( not because the other one was dirty he said, but because of a change of mood) and sang songs from Amore. I love that cd. ( Just a thought Andrea, when you sing Time to say Goodbye how about inviting everone to sing with you - it would raise the roof( and raise a few more eyebrows!).
To sum up my evening - IT WAS THE MOST GLORIOUS EXPERIENCE - We met some warm and friendly people with whom I would like to keep in touch listened t6o some wonderful music played and sung by very talented people and I can't wait to hear him on his home ground next year.
Thank you Andrea with all my heart.
Tricia