That is indeed strange, Richard, especially as Steane - eventually a retired English teacher like me - was one of my two role models (the other being Alan Blyth). Even Homer nods, I guess...
I always think that Bocelli, having an unusual celebrity profile, might have the same function as later, crossover Pavarotti in bringing people round to the joys of opera - and who are we to demur if he gives people pleasure? - but I think we are justified in pointing out that his ventures into "serious" music are often...questionable. For example, he mucked up, among other things, a potentially good Verdi Requiem, and as for Il trovatore and Andrea Chénier (see Göran's review), Franco Corelli or the composers themselves must be spinning in their graves.
Thanks to both you and Mr. Forsling for your interesting comments.
I entirely agree with you both about Andrea Bocelli. However, it gives one pause for thought that the great John Steane was consistently enthusiastic about the tenor in many of his opera recordings (check out several reviews in Gramophone)...
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