His interpretation of opera has been regularly criticised by classical music critics, but since 1994 he has recorded 14 solo albums. His 1999 Sacred Arias album has sold more than five million copies, making it the best-selling classical recording yet.
His pop career, which includes the much-loved Time To Say Goodbye, a duet with Sarah Brightman that reached No1 in 1998 in charts around the world, may have drawn millions in, but Bocelli has always enthusiastically declared and shared his classical calling.
Andrea Angel Bocelli was born in Tuscany in 1958 with poor eyesight, and became blind at the age of 12 following a football accident.
General public tickets for his Auckland concert go on sale this week.
The Bronze double pass the Advocate is giving away is for the show only.
Winners will have to make their way to Auckland.
However, early birds wanting a great deal that combines travel and the show have a window in which they can book a pass to Bocelli's concert and return flights from Whangarei to Auckland on Air NZ Grab-a-Seat for $219 all up. That limited offer is open now.
WIN:
To go in the draw for a double pass to the New Zealand concert please answer this question: What album and by whom sold over 5 million copies?
The answer, with the entrant's contact details made clear, must be in by 4pm on May 1, to: competitions@apn.co.nz
