Andrea Bocelli – “Anema e Core”

“Anema e core” is a popular song which translated to Heart and Soul (soul and heart actually).I

It was first introduced in 1950, sung by the tenor Tito Schipa. The composer was Salve d’Esposito, and the original lyrics were by Tito Manlio.

Many Italian and Italian American singers have covered this wonderful Neopolitan song over the years. Andrea does a great job on this one together with David Foster.

A little history about Andrea

Andrea Bocelli was born to Alessandro and Edi Bocelli. Doctors had advised the couple to abort him, as they predicted that the child would be born with a disability. It was evident at birth that Bocelli had numerous problems with his sight, and he was eventually diagnosed with congenital glaucoma. He has stated that his mother’s decision to give birth to him and overrule the doctor’s advice was the inspiration for him to oppose abortion.

Bocelli grew up on his family’s farm where they sold farm machinery and made wine in the small village of La Sterza, a frazione of Lajatico, Tu

Andrea Bocelli

scany, Italy, about 40 km (25 mi) south of Pisa. His mother and younger brother Alberto still live in the family home; his father died in 2000.

Bocelli showed a great passion for music as a young boy. His mother has said that music was the only thing that would comfort him. He started piano lessons at age 6 and later learned to play the flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, and drums. His nanny Oriana gave him the first record of Franco Corelli, and he began to show interest in pursuing the career of a tenor. By age 7, he was able to recognize the famous voices of the time and tried to emulate the great singers.

At age 12, Bocelli lost his sight completely following an accident during an association football game. He was hit in the eye playing goalkeeper during a match and suffered a brain hemorrhage. Doctors resorted to leeches in a last-ditch effort to save his sight, but they were unsuccessful and he remained blind.

Bocelli also spent time singing during his childhood. He gave his first concert in a small village not far from where he was born. He won his first song competition at age 14 with “‘O sole mio” at the Margherita d’Oro in Viareggio. He finished secondary school in 1980, and then studied law at the University of Pisa. To earn money, he performed evenings in piano bars, and it was there that he met his future wife Enrica in 1987. He completed law school and spent one year as a court-appointed lawyer.