The man behind Bocelli

"When Andrea (Bocelli) came to me to improve his piano techniques and his knowledge of music, the vocal aspect of the training was a mere distraction; a means of entertainment," says the former piano teacher of the world-famous singer and his artistic director and personal conductor, Carlo Bernini.

Bocelli's voice went on to establish him as one of the world's greatest tenors, who ably moves from classical to popular music and is equally loved for both. It also secured the sale of 60 million records during his successful career.

At the time, in 1986, when Bocelli, only 26 years old, turned to Mro Bernini, such a skyrocketing career into such a bright future was not envisaged.

"I believe that on the road to being successful and achieving fame, luck and chance are vital variables," admits the man behind Bocelli, who is performing in Ta' Qali on December16.

Mro Bernini taught the unknown star the purely musical aspect and was not "your classical vocal coach... But once the vocal aspect was improved, other doors and possibilities opened up"... more than the duo could ever have imagined.

Since their professional union 20 years ago, Bocelli and Bernini, practically peers, are inseparable. They have been living together and their friendship and professional relationship has grown in parallel lines over the years.

The secret behind their long-term and fruitful collaboration, which Mro Bernini has no doubt will continue forever, is "reciprocal esteem and sincerity... lots of sincerity".

Mro Bernini knows the tenor inside out, and describes him as "an extremely normal person, like all human beings; with happiness, pain and feelings like us. It is natural that being an artiste of international fame, he treasures more the moments he has to himself and his family. For him, these are even more precious. You have to understand that, unlike you and I, he does not have the liberty to go round the shops, for example. When he can make the best of his personal time, he does so."

As his music assistant, Mro Bernini has played an important role in Bocelli's life and career. But he is quick to clarify the mutual aspect of their cooperation: "We have given a lot to each other! He gave me the possibility to become who I am; to enrich myself musically and culturally through travel and getting to know people."

It took the organisers, Renaissance Productions Ltd, a year to negotiate and seal the Malta Convention Centre concert, Bocelli being highly sought after and one of the most expensive artistes around.

In Malta on the anticipated night, Bocelli is being accompanied by the National Orchestra under the baton of Mro Bernini.

The Maltese touch, also in the form of soprano Lydia Caruana, is in keeping with RPL's aims to always sprinkle a dose of local talent into the mix and offer the opportunity to perform next to high-profile artistes.

"We never preclude the possibility of working with local realities. For example, when we were in Sofia for a concert, we used its national orchestra and a local soprano. It is, in a way, a means to promote the local realities. We do not do it on purpose, but it is not something that disturbs us."

Details about the concert are being finalised with the orchestra, Mro Bernini said, and Bocelli should be rehearsing with it the day before the show.

Bocelli seems to have reached the summit of success, but that is not the way Mro Bernini looks at the situation and their collaboration: "I think one should never feel that one has reached the peak of life in general.

"The minute one does, the enthusiasm to do other things is over. So, once the circle is complete, we start another and become pioneers in other spheres."

Tickets for the concert are selling fast, said RPL director Amabile Zammit. They cost Lm20, Lm35 and Lm50, while an amount are being sold at Lm100, including front-row seats, reserved parking and a dinner at Hilton Malta in the presence of the star.

They are available from the websites www.maltaticket.com, or www.andreabocellimalta.com; from Maltapost branches in Malta and Gozo; and Exotique outlets, while the VIP Lm100 tickets can be purchased from Diamonds International in Valletta and Luxe Pavillion, Portomaso.