Andrea Bocelli will deliver a free concert on Saturday at Mexico City's iconic Zócalo, joined by the Minería Symphony Orchestra, Los Ángeles Azules and Ximena Sariñana. In an interview ahead of the show, the Italian tenor described opera as the 'paradise of music' and called for broader access to the genre. He aims to bridge classical traditions with popular appeal.
Bocelli shared his passion for opera during a conversation with Billboard Español in Mexico City. 'Opera is the paradise of music; I’ve always believed that,' he said, arguing that the genre, born as a popular phenomenon over 400 years ago, should reach wider audiences beyond its current cultured following. He noted opera's origins with Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo in 1607 and highlighted classical music's therapeutic benefits, backed by science, urging schools to introduce it to youth. 'It’s never too late,' Bocelli added, responding to criticism like actor Timothée Chalamet's dismissal of opera's relevance by stating, 'Beauty has no expiration date.' Works like Michelangelo’s Pietà endure timelessly, he emphasized. Bocelli expressed excitement for his duet with cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules, calling collaborations enriching. The Zócalo performance exemplifies his push for accessibility. Following Mexico, he continues the Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour 2026, marking the 1997 album that topped Billboard's World Albums chart for 51 weeks and became the best-selling Italian and non-English album ever. Bocelli recalled the album's surprise success, requiring him to relearn tracks for the tour's U.S. legs in September and December.