[Viva Voce on Andrea Bocelli]--How is his music linked with both the pop and opera styles?

The focus question I chose for my viva was 'How is Andrea Bocelli's music linked with both pop and opera styles?'

Before I go into my analysis, I'll briefly talk about Bocelli himself. He has often been called the fourth tenor and is a blind, Tuscany-born vocalist who has emerged as one of the most exciting voices in his genre of light classical vocals. He has also made inroads into the world of opera.

Beginning piano lessons at the age of six, he later added flute and saxophone. Bocelli was born with poor eyesight and became totally blind at the age of twelve. He didn't consider a career in music until he had studied law at the University of Pisa, earning a Doctor of Law degree. Inspired to pursue music, he studied with the famed tenor Franco Corelli. His 1994 and 1996 albums showcased his operatic singing. In 1997 and 1999 he released two albums where he turned to pop.

Guitarra na proa

The cover of the Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightma...

aerodynamic

During my viva task I listened to a wide range of popular and operatic songs by different vocalists including Sarah Brightman, and other songs by Pavarotti and Celine Dion which I will play for you at the end of my speech.

The song I chose to analyse was 'Time to Say Goodbye', which I see as being an operetta (in other words, an opera composed in a popular and uncomplicated style) with an influence from the modern day pop genre. The instruments in this song were: violins, male voice (tenor), double bass, tenor tuba, cymbals and timpani.

So basically, what makes 'Time to Say Goodbye' both a pop and opera song? Well, the pop influence can bee seen through the 4/4 timing of the piece, it's metrical or regular rhythm, the homophonic layers, instrumental techniques used...