Photo credit: Lorenzo MontanelliL-R, back row, standing: Alessandro Massara (President, UMG Italy); Veronica Berti Bocelli (CEO Almud Music, Manager); Tom Lewis (Co-Managing Director, Decca Records); Jacopo Pesce (President, Island Records, UMG Italy); Scott Rodger (Maverick, Manager)L-R, front row, sitting: Francesco Pasquero (Maverick, Manager); Laura Monks (Co-Managing Director, Decca Records); Andrea Bocelli; Dickon Stainer (President and CEO of Global Classics & Jazz, Universal Music Group)
Superstar tenor Andrea Bocelli has inked an exclusive and expanded global recording deal with Universal Music Group (UMG).
The strategic worldwide partnership sees Bocelli signing directly to UMG for the first time, after more than 25 years of collaboration and marks the beginning of an expansive long-term multi-album deal.
Andrea Bocelli has sold over 90 million albums to date and generated more than five billion streams.
This new multi-dimensional agreement will include a series of recorded music and audiovisual projects, alongside branding services, synchronisation and music-related merchandising.
The deal also marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration with UMG and its frontline labels worldwide, and in particular, extending his long partnership with Universal’s Decca Records Group.
His new recording agreement significantly expands his historic relationship with Decca and UMG, which has distributed his albums for over 25 years.
In April 2020, at the Duomo cathedral in Milan, Bocelli performed one of the biggest musical live streams of all-time and with over 2.8 million peak concurrent viewers.
The concert achieved the largest simultaneous audience for a classical live stream in YouTube history.
The video received more than 28 million views globally in its first 24 hours and over 42 million views to date.
Bocelli’s most recent studio album, 2020’s Believe, was also accompanied by another major live stream, Believe in Christmas, which became the most successful classical music live stream to date, selling more than 70,000 tickets to fans in 120 countries.
In 2018, the tenor achieved further historic sales and streams on both sides of the Atlantic as he scored simultaneous No.1 positions for his album Sì on the Official UK and US Billboard charts.
His most recent release, Concerto: One Night In Central Park, marked the tenth anniversary of his New York concert.
This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF) which was set up in 2011.
“We look forward to putting the global organization to work on Andrea’s behalf, ensuring his new-music and brilliant catalog are enjoyed by his millions of fans and discovered by millions more.”
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, said: “For over two decades, I have had the privilege to work closely with Andrea.
“To expand and extend our long-term partnership with Andrea – an artist in the truest sense who is nothing less than a cultural icon – is a thrilling moment for me and for our teams around the world.
“We look forward to putting the global organization to work on Andrea’s behalf, ensuring his new-music and brilliant catalog are enjoyed by his millions of fans and discovered by millions more.”
“Fully joining the artist stable of the largest record company in the world is the culmination of a dream, but it is also a bit like returning home, because in UMG I have always found that family dimension that is ideal, even in the artistic field, to give the best of oneself.”
Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli said: “It is an exciting novelty, but also the confirmation of our solid and well-established collaborative relationship over the years.
“Fully joining the artist stable of the largest record company in the world is the culmination of a dream, but it is also a bit like returning home, because in UMG I have always found that family dimension that is ideal, even in the artistic field, to give the best of oneself.
“This agreement represents a great honor for me, for Veronica, and perhaps even a little for all of Italy, which through my songs I will continue to celebrate with the world. With gratitude, I celebrate this new adventure, full of ideas, new projects and of course music.”
“This unprecedented partnership has evolved from our deep-rooted relationship with the UMG family, building on the defining recording and live global successes that Andrea Bocelli has achieved throughout his career.
Scott Rodger, Maverick Management
Maverick Management’s Scott Rodger, said: “Together with Veronica Bocelli, Maverick and Almud, I’m proud to start this landmark chapter for Maestro Andrea Bocelli, the most important classical voice of our generation.
“This unprecedented partnership has evolved from our deep-rooted relationship with the UMG family, building on the defining recording and live global successes that Andrea Bocelli has achieved throughout his career.
“We are united by our collective ambition and look forward to this new chapter and the iconic moments that Maestro Bocelli will undoubtedly create.”
“Andrea Bocelli is that rare artist who has the unique ability to transcend the barriers of language, geography and musical genre, to touch millions around the world with his inimitable voice and spirit.”
Michele Anthony, Universal Music Group
Michele Anthony, EVP, Universal Music Group, said: “Andrea Bocelli is that rare artist who has the unique ability to transcend the barriers of language, geography and musical genre, to touch millions around the world with his inimitable voice and spirit.
“It has been an honor for us to work with Andrea and his team to continue to reach and inspire new audiences globally and constantly redefine the boundaries of classical music, even most recently with his historic performance from Milan’s Duomo cathedral during lockdown.”
“In every corner of the world people have taken the unique artistry of Andrea Bocelli to their hearts.”
Dickon Stainer, Universal Music Group
Dickon Stainer, President and CEO of Global Classics & Jazz, Universal Music Group added: “In every corner of the world people have taken the unique artistry of Andrea Bocelli to their hearts.
“We look forward to working even more closely with Andrea on the next chapter of his extraordinary and inspiring musical journey.”
“It is such an honour to strengthen our relationship with Andrea Bocelli, an artist whose global resonance is unique and unmatched in this industry.”
Laura Monks and Tom Lewis, Decca Records
Decca Records Co-Managing Directors Laura Monks and Tom Lewis, said: “It is such an honour to strengthen our relationship with Andrea Bocelli, an artist whose global resonance is unique and unmatched in this industry.”
Andrea Bocelli is one of the most renowned singers in modern history, performing at major international events including the Olympic Games, World Cup, UEFA European Championship and World Expos, as well as his own sell-out arena shows around the world.
He has a Golden Globe, seven Classical BRITs and seven World Music Awards under his belt, plus six Grammy Award nominations, six Latin Grammy Award nominations a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He has performed for four US Presidents, three Popes and the British Royal Family.
He has also 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 and many more.Music Business Worldwide
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