World-renowned opera singer to perform in Inverness
Andrea Bocelli says he already feels like his "heart’s in the Highlands"
Multi-award winning opera tenor Andrea Bocelli is coming to Inverness.
Bocelli will perform at the Caledonian Stadium on July 22nd next year, as part of his world tour - 'Believe'
It's the first time he's performed there and says he already feels like his "heart is in the Highlands."
He said: "It will be more than a concert: it will represent a personal joy for me, an important debut of my mature career.
"It will give me the huge privilege to take my voice to one of the most fascinating places on earth, full of history, beauty and poetry.
After this long and difficult time that has shaken all of humanity, going back to the UK will be incredibly emotional: the returning sunshine after the storm.
"As in the words of the popular ballad I already feel like “My heart’s in the Highlands!"
Bocelli has sold 90 million albums worldwide, and has performed for various members of the royal family and U.S presidents.
He's collaborated with a host of A-list stars including Luciano Pavarotti, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Céline Dion, Tony Bennett, Alison Krauss and many more.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle's CEO Scot Gardiner is 'delighted' the concert is coming to his club's stadium.
He said: "It is a huge feather in the cap of the club, the City of Inverness and indeed the Highlands of Scotland.
"Andrea is truly a world star who has made the crossover from being the most loved tenor on the planet to being known to music fans the world over and we are honoured to be hosting his incredible Believe World Tour in Inverness.
"We hope that music fans from all over Scotland and beyond flock to see this fabulous concert and our intention to keep as much business related to the concert in the Highlands is so important following the difficulties faced by our region since March 2020."
Chairman Ross Morrison said: "At our last AGM, I spoke about our intention to help the football club by putting the Caledonian Stadium back on the concert circuit.
"Unfortunately, the pandemic saw the first two planned events cancelled last when we lost the Westlife and Sir Tom Jones concerts to the lockdown.
"This was just another financial blow in a difficult year for everyone
"Undeterred by these setbacks, 10 months ago, Scot and I set about establishing ICT Concert Co to help us take our concert future into our own hands and with the full support of our Board of Directors, we made first contact with the management of Andrea Bocelli as we thought we should shoot for the very top.
"I am so proud that we can make today’s announcement and I know how important it will be to the football club and the city of Inverness going forward.
"I am doubly proud that the Board has again supported our inclusion of Highland Hospice as our charity beneficiaries of the night as it is so close to the hearts of everyone at the club and the region.
"The concert will be fantastic and I look forward to a very special evening."
Jo de Sylva, Chair of Visit Inverness, Loch Ness says it's a major boost for the region.
She said: "The hard work, along with the vision, foresight and ambition of ICT to bring an artist of this calibre to Inverness is incredible.
"The recognition from Andrea Bocelli that the highlands are unique, is something that will resonate with everyone who lives in and visits the area.
"This is such a welcome boost to Inverness and the Highlands, in what has been a difficult year for most people, and the commitment from the club to use local suppliers shows great trust in the Highland community.
"We all look forward to giving Mr Bocelli a true Highland welcome."
Tickets go on sale on Friday at 10am and can be accessed here.