Once again, the Italian tenor effortlessly sweeps us away with his voice in the new film, The Journey: A Music Special From Andrea Bocelli.
In the movie, he is accompanied by cast members and friends on a journey along a historical path in Italy. We were present at the New York premiere of the film’s upcoming release, where we were graced with his presence on the red carpet alongside his wife, Veronica Berti Bocelli, and others.
Andrea Bocelli and Veronica Berti Bocelli
Their 24-hour trip to New York City begins with a horseback ride through Central Park, leading them to Times Square for a surprise performance by Bocelli and friends. Hauser of 2CELLOS tells us it is quite the contrast to begin the journey in Tuscany and have it wind up in Times Square. At the premiere, Bocelli and his wife look spectacular walking the red carpet. One can feel the love the two share for one another and what embarking on this journey, filled with hope and light, alongside each other has meant to them, and it is genuinely felt-it radiates off of them.
Producer Tom Newman
Film producer Tom Newman tells us more about the phone call he received from the Bocelli family, where the idea would unfold into what viewers will get to experience a piece for themselves. Bocelli’s remarkable idea takes them and a film crew by horseback through the mesmerizing roads, at times off-road, of Via Francigena. They gallop along the ancient road traveled by pilgrims for centuries along the countryside of Italy, embarking on the 200-mile journey joined by musical artist friends along the way with stops at some of the most iconic locations throughout his beloved country.
Before the start of their journey, Veronica expresses she is nervous as it is a long way, and by horseback at that. Firstly, a stop is made in Rome to receive a blessing from the Pope. Bocelli’s roster of singing, multi-instrumentalist, songwriting, and award-nominated friends include Tori Kelly, Tauren Wells, Michael W. Smith, Taya, 2CELLOS, Clara Barbier Serrano, Katherine Jenkins, and conductor Beatrice Venezi. All combine their world-class talents with profound conversations on meaningful topics in the most breathtaking locations, sometimes solely speaking through song. Traveling a path in which apostles and saints previously traveled, they were correct in assuming it would bring inspiration to music, deepen love, expand kindness and grow devotion.
As a young boy, Bocelli’s grandfather taught him to ride horseback to experience it before losing his eyesight. In this way, he would enjoy what the outdoors had to offer. Imagine the vastness and the wind blowing through one’s hair and feeling the warm air. Bocelli says, “Nature is one of life’s greatest miracles.” The vast views shown in the film are breathtaking. Being out in such a grand open space of rolling hills, the silence of being there brings calmness to one’s soul. Great composers make room for the silence he tells us and in this setting, there is the silence this composer yearns for.
Tori Kelly with Andrea Bocelli
Bocelli’s first guest is Tori Kelly. When he hears her sing, it is as though he hears the anthem of her soul. As they horse ride, Veronica highlights how Bocelli tends to bring out his best English when a beautiful lady is in his presence, and all ensue in laughter. Eventually, they stop in Milan to perform “Hallelujah,” which moves some viewers to tears. In one of the many meaningful conversations Bocelli will have with his friends along this journey, he and Kelly discuss hope. She says many people lost hope after experiencing such loss and hurting due to the shutdown the entire world experienced. Bocelli refers to the aftermath as the peace and calmness that comes after a war has ended. People regain hope and beautiful moments are to follow which is part of what drew him towards wanting to take this very journey.
Bocelli discusses his career with Kelly, admitting his career began at thirty-five. She is surprised by one of the world’s most famous tenor’s career beginning at that age. She was barely a teen when she felt her musical career coming to a halt, therefore, taking to journaling. It was a form of prayer for Kelly, her love for singing would take her to sing to and for Him. When embarking on his musical career journey, he was told no many times but remained hopeful. He would say okay and keep going as he didn’t sing for a career but for himself. He and Kelly remained hopeful in their most doubtful of times and credit their faith to maintaining such a positive attitude.
Michael W. Smith
Friend and Grammy award-winning artist Michael W. Smith rides with Bocelli for 20 miles along Italy’s countryside as they too discuss hope, faith and devotion. Smith tells us, “we’re gonna do a pilgrimage on a horse…and see things that you just never dreamed that you’d ever see.” The two find themselves in a 3,000-year-old coliseum where they made music surrounded by candlelight with soprano Clara Barbier Serrano. Smith finds himself pinching himself along the way thinking how incredible this is. He tells us it was just extraordinary, a lifetime surprise to receive the phone call to embark on this journey. Smith and Bocelli both feel music is a gift that can spread messages. The opportunity to do that in this fashion was a memorable lifetime experience for all those involved.
Tauren Wells
Grammy-nominated and Texas-born artist Tauren Wells had the same feeling. He tells us it was, “Absolutely, a dream come true that I didn’t know to dream.” He has respected Bocelli from a distance for so long and his wife grew up singing in Italian opera so naturally, the pair were highly excited to be able to travel with Andrea and Veronica. In the film, Wells shares that although he is from Texas, he has never ridden a horse until today, but who could pass up the invitation to horsehide through Italy’s countryside with the famous tenor and the entire theater is ignited in laughter.
They go on to talk about honesty and purpose. Wells discusses a song from his second studio album Citizen of Heaven, a story that comes from an honest place. “Where there is truth, freedom is possible,” says Wells. In his song “Until Grace,” he discusses what life was like before. In school, Wells was wild, insane, the class clown, drumming on the desk and now finds himself paid to do the things he once got in trouble for. He raised the ceiling to what was possible after being told in school that kids like him end up in jail. “Not very positive,” exclaims Wells. He feels his purpose is to have people not believe the negative voices they hear. “Music influences the senses,” Bocelli adds. They sing “Hills and Valleys” and Bocelli shares that we all experience hills and valleys in our walk of life and faith was made for these moments.
Taya
Another talented friend along for the Journey is Taya. She was three years old when she knew she liked to sing and has never been quiet since. The two discuss faith and maintaining an absence of fear. When Bocelli recorded “Time To Say Goodbye” he was not convinced, the track then went on to be one of his well-known hits. As they perform together, a smile is brought to his face as she belts the lyrics to her song “Ocean” -a powerful song, one to move its listener. The talented vocalist responds about how she faced the moment of performing “Ocean” for the first time. Bocelli shares, “One who follows a path of faith would never walk alone in moments of fear.”
As they gallop, Veronica asks her husband if he can feel how big [the open space] feels. They are grateful for the pilgrims and this road where they can experience and bask in all the beauty there is. Throughout The Journey, several things stand out to Bocelli. Those are the absence of guilt, the absence of regret and the appreciation of life. As they near the end of their journey, he feels his spirit renewed. His body is tired, but he looks forward to the last leg of the trip as it is marked by the greatest miracle he has experienced in life, his children. The father of three has been grateful to share deep and meaningful moments of music and conversation with his friends, but he is genuinely thankful for sharing them with his children.
At the Basil of Santa Christina, he is joined by his youngest, Victoria. They sit alongside the piano to sing “Ave Maria” in unison, a song he would serenade her with as a baby. He tells us how he enjoys passing down stories to his children, stories that teach courage, strength, kindness and devotion. For him, it is a gift to experience his children grow and apply these learnings to their spiritual journeys.
He recounts being a young boy away at boarding school, where he would count the days until he would get to be back home with his family. Reaching the fields of his hometown, he is overcome with a feeling we all feel at the end of a long day, eager to be in a familiar space -home. Bocelli reaches Lajatico and knows a joyful celebration awaits in honor of his arrival. A long way from Rome, he hands his off-road vehicle to his son. He is home. His favorite place is not on a stage surrounded by the crowds but rather at home surrounded by the people he loves. Every time he is away, he hopes he becomes a better man, one of compassion, faith and devotion-the journey that never ends.
Accompanied by beautifully orchestrated sounds, the film comes to a close. Bocelli hopes more people dream of a better world when listening to his music. The film is moving and inspiring in all of its magnificent displays. One that will surely make its viewers feel as though they, too, have taken the historical path through Via Francigena sans horse. Check out the film at participating theaters this week.
