Opera’s living legend Andrea Bocelli is no stranger to singing with his children on the world’s greatest stages. But when he invited his 25-year-old son Matteo and 10-year-old daughter Virginia on stage for an extra-special rendition of their latest family single, “The Greatest Gift,” their performance went viral, amassing over 3 million views to date!
Matteo Bocelli, who has been named “one of the fastest rising figures in the classical crossover genre,” begins the performance with a tender verse and cuttingly dark looks, while Dad Andrea finishes his last chorus line in his iconic voice.
As the sweet Virginia adds some angelic highlights and lowlights to the track, we finds it a shame her mic is turned down so low in comparison to her dad and half-brother. But regardless, all eyes eventually fall on Andrea who, as the song slowly progresses, flushes it out with his legendary operatic warbles; hilariously the polar opposite to Matteo’s silky voice, yet two sounds which blend like gold.
Compared to Andrea’s spread of prestige performances, this gig certainly ranks on the more casual side, yet Andrea’s choice of a hoodie compared to his classic suit doesn’t disturb the musical magic for a moment.
This is hardly the first time Andrea’s brought his children out on stage. Earlier this year, Andrea and Matteo Bocelli performed a spectacular, emotional duet of his career-defining song, “Time To Say Goodbye” at the 96th Academy Awards, soundtracking the Memoriam section of the event. In 2018, Andrea had, in fact, launched Matteo’s own music career, inviting him to duet on the studio recording of Andrea’s original, “Fall On Me” which appeared on his 2013 album, “Passione.”
However, this festive vid does provide the world with one of its first glimpses of Virginia, Andrea’s only daughter. Virginia stepped into the spotlight joining Matteo and Andrea on their 2022 Christmas album, “A Family Christmas,” on which this original track features alongside a timelapse of festive hits including “Away In A Manger,” John Lennon’s “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” and “Feliz Navidad.” The Bocelli family added the wholesome note, “Singing these songs together [and] feeling the holiday warmth as a family is something truly special. That’s what Christmas is about – making memories together to cherish forever.”
Andrea’s first festive album, “My Christmas,” was released solo in 2009.