Andrea Bocelli Performs In Italian Hometown

Italian tenor and singer-songwriter Andrea Bocelli will perform in his birthplace on 13 July. Bocelli was born in the village of Lajatico in the province of Pisa in Tuscany. Every year, he returns to perform there in July, doing a one-night only concert in the Teatro del Silenzio (Theatre of Silence) amphitheatre in Lajatico. The purpose-built amphitheatre is carved into the Lajatico hillside. The singer is the theatre’s honorary president. He encouraged the local council to build the theatre in 2006 and contributed towards its construction. It is called the ‘Theatre of Silence’ because its host a concert once a year in which Bocelli takes part. However, the theatre remains silent the rest of the year. The theatre is also home to various artworks including sculptures that remain there all year round. Each year, the concert is a sell-out, along with the dress-rehearsal Bocelli gives the previous evening. For those unable to get tickets, a webcam is used to stream the event in real time from the theatre website at http://www.teatrodelsilenzio.it/webcam.php. There have been seven concerts at the theatre in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Each year, international stars have formed part of the cast including Katherine Jenkins, Zucchero, Placido Domingo, Laura Pausini and José Carreras. The concert is a spectacle comprising music, dance and art.