Andrea Bocelli to Perform in San Antonio Opera

November 24, 2008 · Andrea Bocelli is an international superstar. He has sold over 65 million albums worldwide.

Bocelli is known for his singing of operatic pop style music and classical opera.

While in San Antonio Bocelli will perform Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.

The acclaimed tenor said he isn’t surprised that both his local performances are sold out, because he believes that Americans love the opera.

“I feel that, in America, opera is loved much more than in many, many other places in the world – probably more than in Italy now,” he said.

“The audience in America is enthusiastic. It’s nice – it’s beautiful to sing here in this country,” he proclaimed during a San Antonio press conference.

The San Antonio production will be a semi-staged performance, co-starring soprano Veronica Villarroel.

Artistic director for the San Antonio Opera Mark Richter said that San Antonio is becoming well known for its excellence in presenting opera productions.

“Like Placido Domingo last year, every time they come here – we bring them in – we get international recognition and other artists want to come here too,” said Richter.  

The performances will be staged at the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium along with a 56-piece symphony orchestra and 160 voice-combined chorus featuring the San Antonio Opera Chorus and the San Antonio Mastersingers.