The Music of Silence: A Memoir [Hardcover]

Andrea Bocelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2001

In this honest and engaging memoir, translated from the Italian, Bocelli talks as never before about his blindness, his early life, the importance of his family, stage fright, and the pressures of international stardom.

Andrea Bocelli cannot remember a time when he was not passionate about music. Born among the vineyards and olive groves of Tuscany, Bocelli was only a few months old when his beautiful blue eyes began to fail due to glaucoma. "He suffered much, and it was difficult to calm him," his mother, Edi, explains. It was the music filtering into his room that would soothe the unsettled child. She says, "It seemed to be the reason for Andrea's tranquillity. I was happy because I had discovered something that gave him some relief from his pain."

Bocelli's parents nurtured and encouraged his love of music. His passion for opera was also apparent, and he participated in local talent contests and won several prizes. At the age of twelve, however, Bocelli was completely blinded during a soccer game. Undeterred, he continued to sing, learning to read special Braille sheets and musical scores.

It was only after he earned his law degree that he was inspired to attempt to join the ranks of the great tenors. Bocelli's persistence and devotion paid off during an audition in 1992 when he stunned Pavarotti with the seemingly effortless way he captured the essence of the song "Miserere." It was this performance that fueled Bocelli's rise from piano-bar performer to the phenomenal international success we all adore today.

No fan of classical music can afford to be without the engaging and humble memoir of this fascinating, triumphant star.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian

About the Author

Andrea Bocelli wrote this memoir himself on a special Braille computer, without a ghostwriter. He chose to tell his own life story through the eyes of a boy called Amos, a charming and unusual device characteristic of this modest man. Bocelli lives in Monte Carlo and summers in Tuscany with his wife and two sons.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperEntertainment; First Edition edition (October 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0066212863
• ISBN-13: 978-0066212869
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,285,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This should be required reading !!!!!, November 3, 2001

By 

"helenes" (Canton, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Music of Silence: A Memoir (Hardcover)

I purchased this book last year from amazon .uk.I have read it three times ,and each time I discover something new.In today's world it is difficult to find a well rounded person,especially if that person is a TENOR,with egos big as all outdoors.Egos that seemingly need to be constantly fed.He is a wonder.Talented in various ways,his writings are as artful as his singing.Add to that the ability to compose,write poetry,give of himself to worthy causes,constantly studying to be "accepted"and recognized as a legitimate opera singer,committed to his family,well read,and above all,meeting the challenge of sightlessness.Achieving success,breaking records consistently,he recognizes what he perceives to be his failings.He writes about those perceptions in an honest,straightforward manner,offering no excuses.In a humble way,he tells the tale.The story flows,as water in a stream the time passes,and you suddenly realize you have been so engrossed in this life story,it is long past your bedtime.The Music of Silence is more than a good read.I put the book down relucantly,feeling like I had stepped out of Bocelli's life,back into my own.Very few writers have enough self confidence to expose their innermost feelings for all the world to see.How ironic it is that Bocelli,who cannot see with his eyes,does so with his heart.He has met the challenges in his life,and continues to do so.In the best sense of the word,he is a reminder that we can do the same.Bravo,Andrea,and everyone else who reads this book and accepts their own challenges. !!!!!!!

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Andrea Bocelli's book is inspirational and frank..., October 17, 2001

By 

Laurie Eckhout (Juneau, AK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Music of Silence: A Memoir (Hardcover)

Note: I purchased this Harper Collins book, but my review is based on the reading of the Virgin Publication (same text & translator).

This book will not teach you anything about opera or even music for that matter. We get something much better; a frank and introspective story of a life (so far), one full of all those things which make each one of us ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. The story of a man who never let go of his dreams, even when time and many other obstacles lay in his path. It shows how important a wise and loving family and caring friends can be in the big scheme of things. In this case, the life of a man whose voice has captivated millions of fans, myself included.
It is a rare glimpse into a man's conscience, not just in it's bright and shiny refined state of maturity, but in the beginnings when we all strive to determine who we are and make our own way.

Andrea shares openly incidents in his life where retrospect reveals mistakes and misguided notions. He comes out the other end of self-discovery with a philosophy and attitude towards life to be admired.

He shows that one cannot merely "wish" for something to be so. Effort and action need to accompany any goals in life, and is courageous in his quest. The seed of an idea to become a singer grew through the years, instead of fading. It is a book of hope, which should inspire even the most jaded of souls, who have given up their dreams merely because the passage of time has dimmed their flame.

On page 115, he writes: "every man distinguishes himself by his unique qualities, but all men resemble each other in their defects, which are universal." Reading this book, you will come to know the boy and the man from Tuscany whose life is infinitely unique, just as we all are. Just as we all resemble each other.

If you admire this man for his voice, or just want to read an amazing, inspiring story, written by a man not afraid to reveal his mistakes or insecurities, alongside his most proud moments, I recommend this book. Then you can go learn more about opera!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Gladsome, Modest Memoir!, December 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Music of Silence: A Memoir (Hardcover)

This is the memoir music-lovers have waited for. This liquid golden-voiced Italian tenor from Tuscany, tells of his blindness & how music soothed him; of his struggles as a boy to live a normal life; his studies to become a lawyer & how he found his world-class voice.

Andrea Bocelli is a refreshingly simple, humble fellow imbued with love, humor & a sense of the Grand Adventure.

Andrea Bocelli wrote this memoir himself on a special Braille computer, without a ghostwriter & Stanislav Pugliese translated it into English.

This is the angel who sang for Mayor Juiliani during a Memorial for those who perished in the September 11 attacks & I only wish there had been a CD of his favorite songs attached to this memoir.