Andrea Bocelli revealed why he made his son Matteo wait so many years to sing, when his daughter Virginia has already started performing aged nine, and the “most beautiful” thing about it when he did.
Matteo is still only 25 but is fast becoming a global star. He shot to fame singing the Disney theme song Fall On Me from The Nutcracker and the Four Realms movie in 2018, and began appearing in stage at some of his father’s concerts that year. He was still studying music at the time and Andrea admitted he had doubts whether his son “was ready”. Since then Matteo has started to establish his own solo career, with a debut album expected in the coming months.
Matteo actually made his debut in September 2016 at the star-studded Celebrity Fight Night Italy gala, which his father and second wife Veronica host every year.
He was pulled from the crowd to sing an aria, apparently with no warning, with no microphone and with Andrea accompanying him on piano. You can scroll down to watch the incredible moment and hear just how impressive Matteo’s voice really is.
At the time, Andrea said: “Some time ago Matteo revealed that he would like to follow in my footsteps, so to speak. For a parent it is… it’s difficult to understand and to support because I know all the difficulties of the job very well. And to those he will need to add the difficulties of being the son of an artist.”
However, 18 months later, Matteo shot to fame (possibly almost as much for his looks as his voice) whe they recorded Fall On Me together.
In BBC Breakfast interview in November 2018, Andrea and Matteo discussed why the youngster had been made to wait so long. Especially when his yonger sister Virginia has started making public appearances and singing with their father aged nine.
Andrea said: “Because he was not ready. And now I don’t know if he is ready or not.”
Matteo jumped in, saying, “I’m not ready yet!”
Andrea added: “Now he is a student in the conservatory for singing and I hope he will become a very good singer.”
Matteo revealed how much help his father had given over the years and continues to give.

Matteo Bocelli’s debut performance in 2016 (Image: GETTY)
Matteo said: “I played the piano since I was six years old. I started study singing thee years ago because my dad said you need to wait for the changing of your voice or you could, not break it, damage it.”
Young Virginia, of course, does not have a developed adult voice, but she will not need to wait for her voice to break, like her brother.
Matteo made his recording debut with Andrea on the track Fall On Me, which also appeared on his father’s album Si.
Andrea explained why they choose to do that particular track and the incredible effect it has had.