This year, he’s celebrating the 30th anniversary of his career with a new compilation album, “Duets”, featuring first releases of his best-known work and brand new collaborations – as well as some stunning contemporary covers – and releases. A new concert film, “Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration,” hits theaters Friday.

So, why couple?

“I have loved voices since I was a child and I love sharing the stage with the best artists and voices. So, this album, I have the best duets in my life,” he told The Associated Press. “From the first, ‘The Prayer’ with Celine Dion, to the last, like ‘Perfect’ with Ed Sheeran and many others. And the album has been remastered and remixed. So, I hope the sound can be better.”

He says: “The most important thing in voices…is to be recognizable, to convey emotion.”

Sheeran was an interesting collaboration because when Bocelli first attempted to sing “Perfect”, the English singer-songwriter was not a fan. “They didn’t like what I did because I sang in a pop style,” he recalls. “That’s how I wanted to hear my voice, like in opera style.” So, Sheeran traveled to Bocelli’s home in Tuscany, and the lyrics were changed to “He was right because this song was a huge success.”

When asked if there was anyone he would like to include in a collection of “duets”, Bocelli says – but “they passed away before I started singing. For example, I would like to sing Maria Callas or Tebaldi or Many great, incredible singers who would love to sing with Magda Olivero, unfortunately they are no longer with us.”

According to a press release, over his three-decade career, Bocelli has performed for presidents, popes, and sold-out stadiums around the world – in addition to selling approximately 90 million records worldwide. “The reality exceeds even my wildest dreams,” he says.

How he reflects on that time should come as no surprise. “I like to sing for the future. To be honest, I don’t like to think with nostalgia,” he says. ”First time on stage, for me it’s like yesterday. Time went by so quickly, so fast. And, yes, now I like to think about the future.”

So, then, what does he hope his legacy will be in the next 30 years, 300 years? “In Italy, we have a very famous expression: Those who come after us will judge us,” he says with a translator. “So I cannot put pressure on the people’s judge. But I feel that my audience has great affection for me and that is my aim. When someone comes up to me on the street and says, ‘Thank you for your voice, your music,’ I feel like mission accomplished.”

In the “duet”, Bocelli sings in Italian, English, French and Spanish. “There are many languages, but it is very difficult. I remember the day I tried to sing in Chinese, just a few lines, but it was very difficult for me,” he says, laughing.

He performs across a variety of genres, working with everyone from Latin superstars like Karol G and Jennifer Lopez to country musicians like Chris Stapleton and Shania Twain. “I want to try to sing jazz,” he says, “my life.”

There’s little he hasn’t done over the past three decades, but he says the ultimate goal is now steeped in faith. “I have been very lucky and I have received love from people. Now I should try to become the object of God’s affection. It’s more difficult.”

But he will continue to perform for the people who love him. On December 4, Bocelli’s US tour will begin in San Diego and run throughout the month, before resuming in February and June 2025. The final dates will be held on June 21 and 22 in Napa Valley, California.

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