I’ve been reading your series on the art of criticism, and I wonder if somewhere hidden in the series there is an unwritten law that you must find fault in every review.
The review of Andrea Bocelli’s initial Chicago concert (“Bocelli’s lyric tenor provides a pleasant, light evening,” July 25) was generally good. However, I was sitting in the first row, less than 10 feet from Bocelli, and I thought his performance was excellent. Everyone around me felt likewise.
You state in the article that he was aided immensely by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Is it not customary to sing before an orchestra, or should he have sung a cappella?
You were critical of his stage presence, and compared him to Al Gore. Perhaps someone should remind you that he is blind. My experience with blind artists is, unless they are holding something in their hands, they are definitely self-conscious of their hands and arms and what to do with them. I believe his blindness also inhibits his ability to be a bit more demonstrative in his interpretations of the music.
The implication that he is lacking in soul is contrary to the beliefs of others in the operatic community, and obviously to the multitude of fans who are buying his CDs by the millions.
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