“Nessun dorma.”

That’s what you say to someone when they ask why you bought Andrea Bocelli tickets.

For those of you that don’t speak Italian, “Nessun dorma” is translated into English as “No one shall sleep.”  It’s an aria (a self contained song from an opera) from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's Turandot.  It’s opera’s best known aria for a tenor.

The aria was made famous by the legendary Luciano Pavarotti and has been featured in several films like the Killing Fields, The Sum of All Fears, and Bend It Like Beckham.  

The best way to describe “Nessun dorma” is it sounds like “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera, if it had been written 80 years ago by an Italian.

Unfortunately for music fans they can no longer hear Pavarotti sing the captivating song in concert but they can here Bocelli belt it out.  

The Italian singer will be touring the United States this summer not only to serenade his fans with some of opera’s greatest arias, but also to support of his new album, “Incanto.”

The tour begins June 5th when Bocelli performs in San Jose, California and ends June 20th at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  

In between Bocelli graces the stages of the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California; the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois; and the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas.

The highlight of the tour will most certainly be Bocelli’s visit to New York City’s Madison Square Garden on June 18th.

The greatness of Bocelli, and the reason why he’s sold more than 65 million albums, is his range.  Not his three octave range, or the fact he can play eight instruments, but his ability to excel in several different genres.

Besides the aria previously mentioned, one might hear Bocelli sing pop standards like “Besame Mucho,” “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” and “My Way.”  He also sings operatic-crossovers like “Time To Say Goodbye” and “The Prayer.”

Of course it doesn’t matter what label you apply to Bocelli’s music.  When he sings a song, he makes it his own and that means he makes it beautiful.  Bocelli’s immense talent far exceeds his success and accolades.

However, Bocelli’s charms don’t end there.  In addition to his awe-inspiring voice, Bocelli has a warm and inviting personality.  On stage, he’s quite effable and has a lovely rapport with his audience.  

It’s no wonder he’s the world’s most popular tenor.