Andrea Bocelli, the internationally acclaimed blind Italian classical crossover tenor, is gearing up for a solo concert in Seoul next month -- his first in Korea in six years.

“I am excited and happy to come back. The love your people have shown me is hard to forget,” said Bocelli in an e-mail interview with The Korea Herald.

Best known for his repertoire of classic operatic arias and classical-inspired contemporary pieces, the 57-year-old Grammy nominee last year released his 15th solo album, “Cinema,” featuring musical numbers from popular films.  

Bocelli’s new album, which was released in October, went on to top Billboard’s Classical Crossover Albums chart, marking the tenor’s 11th No. 1 ranking in his career and extending his record for the most chart-topping albums among artists on that chart.

“Film music is potentially freer, even from compromises dictated by the market, because it does not have to be, necessarily, tied to the schemes of classical songs,” he said. “The project ‘Cinema’ represents a desire or, better, a dream I have been pursuing for years.”

The crossover album also features the track “E Piu Ti Penso,” an unexpected duet with popular 22-year-old American pop star Ariana Grande.

“Ariana is a very talented young girl, I am really happy I could sing a duet with her,” said the opera tenor. “She has leapt to international attention with surprising speed thanks to her charisma. New generations go crazy for her, just like my children.”

Bocelli has a long list of achievements in his decades-long musical career, making him one of the classical and crossover music worlds’ most iconic figures. The tenor made history when his 1997 album “Romanza” sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, cementing it as the best-selling album by an Italian artist of any genre. His following album “Sacred Arias” also went on to become the best-selling classical crossover album by a solo artist.

“I sing both opera and the pop repertoire; I love both genres, without ever mixing them up. From the technical point of view of the use of voice, there is little difference between a natural emission and a lyrically set one. The differences are less dramatic than (they) might appear,” he says.

“Classical music and pop are two different universes, each with its own artistic difficulties, peculiarities, depth and artistic dignity. My first encounter with music during my childhood was with the popular voices of the great interpreters of the 20th century, from Enrico Caruso to Beniamino Gigli, to Franco Corelli. They are all artists who -- as I always say -- have made the history of opera interpretation, but who have also sung many popular romanzas and songs.”

Bocelli will perform live at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium in Seoul on May 1. Ticket prices range from 115,000 won ($100) to 290,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6348-6077.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)