Thursday September 11, 2008. A busy day for Alessandro

Signing session in Rotterdam
In the afternoon Alessandro gives a signing session in ‘de Bijenkorf’ in Rotterdam. Very slim full of laughter and sympathetic, in a fresh white shirt with jeans. When it’s my turn I wish him in my best Italian “in bocca al lupo stasera” (toi toi toi for tonight) for the special concert that will take place that evening. I can’t say that Italian sentence very well (his eyes impress me). I tell him that I’ve practiced the whole morning to speak it out fluently. He has to laugh. For every fan who is present he is most charming and friendly. Very unreal to see him standing the famous Dutch store.

An evening with José Carreras and Alessandro Safina
That night in Ahoy on every chair there is a programme waiting for the fans. Musical, Napolitan songs, Spanish pieces, light Opera, and a little bit pop, a varied programme. The orchestra and Ahoy aren’t strangers for Alessandro. During the Night of the Proms in 2000 Il Novecento accompanied him also in Ahoy. But singing with José Carreras is a new experience. That evening the soprano is Celine Byrne. She sings fantastic. Roberto Alagna and José Carreras know that and they sing often together with her. The members of the orchestra take their seats and the conductor David Giménez gives the start signal for the overture of Candide (Leonard Bernstein) The brick sports palace is turned into a theatre full of beautiful music.

Every time the conductor collects the soloist, as usual during a classical concert.. Alessandro is the first to enter the stage and a warm applause of recognition sounds. “La Mattinata” is the first piece that he sings. “Il nostro concerto” passes by. Together with José Carreras Alessandro sings “Musica Proibita” and “O Marenariello” and he does that fantastic.
More Bernstein that night. “Tonight” from West Side Story is brought beautifully by Alessandro and Celine, with a high concluding note of Alessandro. From “Phantom of the Opera” Celine and Alessandro sing “All I ask of you”. Pity for Celine that she’s standing a few meters from Alessandro because of the static microphones.

Alessandro can’t skip his mega hit “Luna”. During the beginning tones the public reacts enthusiastically. Of Franz Lehàr “Lippen Schweigen”. passes by and José and Celine sing this duet. Alessandro has sung the piece many times and also very nice. José Carreras takes 6 solo parts for his account with his dramatically powerful voice. After the applause for his “Chitarra Romana” all the soloists appear on the stage to receive a big bunch of flowers. The enthusiastically reaction of the public is the start of the encore of all the soloists. Alessandro sings “Torna al Surriento”, José Carreras treats the audience on the mighty “Granada” (Alessandro can sing that also so beautifully!) and to end it all, the three sing “Libiamo” from “La Traviata”. A beautiful ending of a successful musical evening.


Written by: Bouk
Pictures: Robert Vos/AFP/Getty Images & Laura