Brian May and Andrea Bocelli Deliver a Spellbinding Live Performance of ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli recently released footage of a special performance of Queen’s iconic “Who Wants To Live Forever,” featuring none other than Queen guitarist Brian May. The show took place in July 2024 at Teatro del Silenzio, a breathtaking open-air amphitheater in Bocelli’s hometown of Lajatico, Tuscany—a venue Bocelli himself helped fund. With its 10,000-seat capacity, the amphitheater provided a majestic backdrop for this memorable collaboration between two music legends.

Star-Studded Celebration Marks 30 Years of Bocelli’s Career

This performance was part of Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration, a three-day concert extravaganza celebrating the tenor’s three decades in music. The event drew an eclectic lineup, including opera giants Plácido Domingo and José Carreras, pop sensation Shania Twain, jazz artist Jon Batiste, and a surprising roster of celebrity guests such as Will Smith, Sophia Vergara, and Johnny Depp. The celebration highlighted Bocelli’s versatility and global appeal, bridging genres and generations.

Mutual Respect and Musical Bond Between Bocelli and May

Reflecting on his collaboration with May, Bocelli praised the guitarist’s calm and classic presence, which contrasts with his worldwide rockstar reputation. Beyond his legendary status, Bocelli described May as a brilliant songwriter, astrophysicist, and a man of deep intellect and noble spirit. Bocelli recalled a touching moment at a recent London concert where May compared his guitar to Bocelli’s voice—both extensions of themselves. May still plays the guitar he built with his father as a teenager, underscoring the personal connection he brings to his music. Bocelli expressed excitement about sharing the stage with May at Teatro del Silenzio, promising a performance that would be a joy for both artists and fans alike.

A concert film directed by Sam Wrench, capturing the highlights of these shows, premiered in U.S. cinemas late last year and is now available to stream on Apple+.