My House Debra

News from the Choir

When world-famous, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli walked into the Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, September 12, it was his first visit to the historic structure and his first face-to-face experience with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. A few weeks ago when the Choir recorded “The Lord’s Prayer” for his upcoming Christmas album, so taken was Bocelli with the sound of the 360 voices recorded in the renowned Tabernacle, he determined to film a portion of his upcoming PBS television special from there as well.

He found what David Hurley of The King’s Singers, veterans of Tabernacle performances, described: “The Tabernacle seems to have this wonderful sound that contributes to the lovely sound that the Choir makes. It isn’t just the singers; it’s also the space within which they perform and the history of the choral singing there over many, many years.”

David Foster, acclaimed Canadian musician, composer and conductor accompanied Bocelli on the Tabernacle’s legendary pipe organ. Foster is a celebrity in his own right having produced 15 Grammy Award-winning albums including three for producer of the year.

Bocelli, who has sold more than 60 million albums, began his career “singing for relatives.” He learned to play the piano at age six and added flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, harp, guitar and drums to his repertoire. But it is his voice that distinguishes him. At age 12, a soccer accident left his already weakened eyes blind. He initially turned to the law for his life’s work but quickly shifted to follow his passion – music.