Alabama Appears En Masse For Andrea Bocelli

February 22, 2026 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Sunday night, Alabamians proved that the Yellowhammer State is far from impervious to the beauty of Italian Opera. As they filled the 16,250 capacity Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama for none other than Andrea Bocelli, a tall lyric tenor who has sold over 90 million records. Even members of the local police who were directing traffic for the concert expressed astonishment at how exceptionally busy it was as people rented limousines to spend an evening basking in the elegance of Bocelli's beautiful Italian singing.

Accompanied by a live orchestra conducted by Steven Mercurio and a live choir, the Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, filled the arena with classic arias such as Verdi's "La donna è mobile" from the Italian Grand Opera genre during the first half of his concert. With the American violinist, Caroline Campbell performing some spirited violin solos, as well. The second half then featured Andrea Bocelli accompanying himself on a grand piano while singing some popular Italian ballads. A feat, since Andrea Bocelli was rendered completely blind at the age of twelve after being hit in the face by a soccer ball while he was acting as goalkeeper.

Even though the concert ran over time late on a Sunday night before the beginning of the work week, Alabamians had no desire to bid farewell to the 67-year-old Italian tenor from Lajatico, Italy. As they brought Bocelli back on stage for multiple bows and encore performances. With his first encore performance being none other than "Con Te Partiro", also known as, "Its Time To Say Goodbye". A beautiful duet which he sang with the Puerto Rican Soprano, Larisa Martinez. And one in which his voice did the impossible. For it transformed from beautiful, to doubly beautiful as he expressed special tenderness and sweetness in his signature operatic pop Italian melody.

Having just sung Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma” for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan, members of the audience in Birmingham, Alabama were graced by Andrea Bocelli reprising the classic aria from “Turandot” for his second encore performance. With Andrea Bocelli transitioning to English as he verbally thanked the audience for “coming to me”. And come they did.

Andrea Bocelli will be taking his “Romanza” tour to Nashville tonight as he sings at the Bridgestone Arena on Monday, February 23rd. Which will be his last stop in the Southern circuit as afterwards his tour heads to Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Los Angeles and Boston, among other places.

While all else pales by comparison, for Alabamians who didn’t make it to the Andrea Bocelli concert in Alabama and wish to be treated to the beauty of Italian song, the multinational classical crossover quartet, “Il Divo”, will be performing on Saturday, March 07th, 2026 at the Alys Stephens Center in Birmingham. As well as in Huntsville on Sunday, March 08th, 2026.

Luisa Reyes is a Tuscaloosa Attorney, piano instructor, and vocalist.

Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers.