When music touches the divine

The evening opened with operatic mastery. La Donna È Mobile, delivered with effortless panache, brought the audience to attention at once. 

The first act paid homage to the golden age of Italian opera, dominated by the towering compositions of Verdi and Puccini. Addio Fiorito Asil swelled with aching melancholy, while the jubilant Brindisi from La Traviata had the crowd swaying in hushed delight.

Andrea Bocelli’s voice, in turns thunderous and featherlight, drew every eye and ear in the room. His phrasing, rich with nuance, peeled away the noise of daily life, leaving only feeling in its place. 

This dramatic effect was magnified by the ensemble surrounding him. Under the baton of Maestro Carlo Bernini, Andrea Bocelli’s long-time artistic director, the orchestra delivered each piece with measured flourish. 

Virtuoso flutist Andrea Griminelli lent a silvery tone to the performance, while soprano Mariam Battistelli brought exquisite clarity to her arias, illuminating the hall with a voice both bright and serene.

Following the interval, the second act shifted into more contemporary territory. It reflected Andrea Bocelli’s remarkable versatility through a carefully curated blend of cinematic scores and beloved ballads, showing once again how effortlessly he bridges the realms of classical and modern music.

Ennio Morricone’s American Theme Medley cast a nostalgic glow, washing the audience in sepia-toned soundscapes. 

The Prayer, performed as a duet with soprano Amy Manford, was delicate and moving. Their voices twined like ivy around the audience’s collective heart.

A gently reimagined My Heart Will Go On floated across the hall, its familiar strains newly infused with gravitas and soul.

Then came the most intimate moment of the evening. Matteo Bocelli, Andrea Bocelli’s son, joined him on stage. Their duet, Fall On Me, was an inheritance in song. 

Matteo Bocelli’s voice, rich and emotive, bore the unmistakable timbre of his father’s yet carried its own depth. As they sang, their harmonies interlaced with tenderness. 

The hall seemed to exhale all at once, swept up in a shared recognition of love, legacy, and the ineffable bond between father and son.

As the final notes of the programme faded, the applause surged. 

Not content to simply bow out, Andrea Bocelli returned with three encore numbers – beginning with the ever-iconic Con Te Partirò, followed by the stirring Perfect Symphony and a triumphant rendition of Nessun Dorma. Each was greeted with thunderous ovation.

Throughout the night, the Galaxy Arena proved itself more than worthy of its premiere. With crystalline acoustics and understated elegance, the space allowed Andrea Bocelli’s voice to rise and resound with breathtaking clarity.

“This evening will remain etched in my heart,” Andrea Bocelli shared in his parting words. The sentiment echoed throughout the hall; a sentiment etched just as deeply in the memories of all in attendance.

Presented by Galaxy Macau™, the concert was indeed a cultural milestone. 

The city, long known for its grandeur and glamour, is striking a new note. With world-class venues such as Galaxy Arena and the neighbouring Galaxy International Convention Center, Macau is fast tuning itself to a new frequency – one that calls in not only tourists but also connoisseurs of art and performance from around the world.

Andrea Bocelli’s return was a defining moment not for a city intent on shaping its identity as Asia’s City of Performing Arts. His visit, dubbed in the official programme as a “once-in-a-lifetime musical pilgrimage”, was exactly that: a singular moment, soaked in sound and meaning.

With over 90 million albums sold and more than 16 billion streams, Andrea Bocelli remains one of the most successful classical artists in history.

On that March evening in Macau, Andrea Bocelli did more than perform. He wrote the city a new narrative – one of elegance, artistry and timeless connection. And in doing so, he helped it find its voice.