Dream of Italy is made possible by: Parmigiano Reggiano is a distinctive flavor experience on its own or with your favorite dish, cheese crafted in the heart of Italy for over 1,000 years.
Authentic.
Local.
Traditional.
Parmigiano Reggiano.
Go Traveler.
Streaming TV travel app available on all smart TVs and app stores.
Don't go anywhere.
Just travel.
Miio your bridge to Italian craftsmanship: fashion, accessories, homeware and beauty.
Made in Italy only.
Jupiter, Florida and online.
Dalla Fonte bringing Italy to your doorstep.
A culinary adventure through Italy.
One plate at a time.
And also made possible by: I'm Kathy McCabe.
In this series well meet the authintic characters...
Uncover the hidden treasures, and discover what makes Italy the most fascinating country in the world.
Join me as we dream of Italy Tuscany.
It's nearly synonymous with beauty and music.
Gi la sento Gi la sento morir The rolling hills and charming towns of Tuscany have given birth to the likes of Dante, Michaelangelo and Da Vinci.
Today it's home to another Italian legend.
world renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Poi si toglie Anche lultimo velo Anche lultimo cielo Anche lultimo bacio Ah, forse colpa mia Ah, forse colpa tua E cos son rimasto a pensare Welcome to Andre Bocellis Tuscany Thank you so much for having me at your home at your piano.
It's a very beautiful instrument It is.
The maestro and his wife, Veronica have graciously invited to their home in the elegant town of Forte dei Marmi We're here to explore the maestros seaside paradise, his home town and heart in Lajatico and the towns of Lucca and Torre del Lago that inspired his favorite compser Puccini.
We quickly find we both have a passion for music He has four, including Ginevra, the Italian Greyhound.
Good morning Kathy.
Good morning this is my dream Italia, Bocelli This is Ginevra.
A small Italian greyhound.
Shes so loving But our most heartfelt common ground is our faith and love for the Virgin Mary.
today is a very special day.
Not only because I am meeting you, but in my ancestral hometown in Castelvetere sul Calore My ancestors are very faithful to the Madonna delle Grazie Me too.
Yes.
And today I brought you Tortani The bread that the women make to offer to the Madonna.
It will offer you even more protection.
It's very kind of you.
What does she mean to you?
Means hope, faith and charity.
when I have had some difficult times in my life, I will go to YouTube and put in Ave Maria, Andrea Bocelli.
So you have been with me and the Madonna has been with me through many, many...
They have to be an inspiration, spiritual inspiration for you.
Many moments.
Would you play a little bit of Ave Maria for me?
oh, I can try it.
It's it's hard.
It's Ave Maria Vergin del ciel I have goose bumps on my arms So, Ill tell you something in Italian.
Okay.
Oh, wow, I saw the names of your children.
on there.
Family seems as important as music for you.
Tell me about your family.
like every Italian family, is the most important thing in my life.
My children listening music from the morning until the night.
Of course, they grow up with, uh disposition, And, uh, all the three are ready to.
I can't speak to an Italian without speaking about your mama and your papa.
Uh huh.
And tell me your memories.
They were very supportive of your music, yes?
so many dream of Italy to explore.
Andrea Bocellis Tuscany.
Tuscany is an incredible place because we have the sea, the beach the mountain, the hills, its so beautiful Place is an inspiration for the artists.
We are here in Forte dei Marmi in your home.
And I think not a lot of Americans know this town.
What is so special about it for you?
Do you ever get tired?
You tour all the time.
Yeah But do you love it?
But work is my life.
Yeah... yeah It gives you energy to have the opportunity to give emotion.
I think it's a it's a big present from the sky.
Yes.
Will you sing another song?
Of course, my pleasure.
Wise men say only fools rush in Oh, but I, but I, I can't help love with you That was my parents favorite song Thank you very much.
Thank you so, so much Maestro Albemarle is the Bocelli family beach club in Forte dei Marmi It's known for its pristine sand art exhibitions and delicious seafood Today, Chef Mirko Caldino is preparing one of the restaurant's specialties.
So what are we making today?
Today we, I prepare Andrea Favorite dishes.
Okay, so when he comes to the beach club, does he come?
Okay, so when he comes to the beach club, does he come?
Yes.
Yeah, he likes it...
Everyday Every day I would eat in my beach club If I had a beach club at a restaurant Yes, Yes.
Okay.
So what is this dish called?
Chi Chi.
Just chickpeas and red shrimp, So its very simple dish.
I see just a few ingredients.
Yes.
there's the garlic.
And a little bit olive oil.
I love chickpeas its the chickpea concoction, Puree...
So it's almost like there's a little bit of a soup, now the shrimp.
Tomato confit that looks delicious.
Okay.
Oh, it sounds good to I'm going to have lunch with Veronica and I think this is what I'm going to order so I can try it.
You're welcome.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Bon appetit.
Grazie Italians know how to go to the beach because in America, we don't have restaurants on the beach, we don't have cabanas.
You bring your lunch in a bag and you bring your chair.
Means we are lazier.
No, but you got the whole set up So many people around the world know your husband.
What do you think would surprise people about him?
people always like I have no idea.
You were so funny.
And that's true.
That is really and wild, a lot of different things.
Wild in a sense, Yeah what sense.
I think it doesn't really get the sense of what's dangerous I think it doesn't really get the sense of what's dangerous His mother was always she always said to me you have no idea how it was when he was little.
It was a disaster.
No fear.
Sure its going to happen.
You you have your hands full.
It's kind of like a dare.
Yeah.
seeing him with the dogs they give him something.
They give him.
What do they Say solo communication.
It means you are alone like.
Like a dog.
I always make fun of him because he always surrounded by dogs.
So I say I always make fun of him.
Saying, you cannot say you are alone like a dog.
You have a lot of dogs next to you.
Veronica has invited some of her close friends to tell me the fascinating history of Forte dei Marmi which means fort of the Marbles Special for you.
Lets see.
This is a old, old book.
Wow, there was not much here.
The Forte is exactly the same.
Different color, but exactly the same.
No, it's very interesting because.
Yeah, since the time of the Romans, the marble was actually taken from the Apuan Alps.
and the marble was a very pure white marble that you could not because Michelangelo was so much with our marble, and especially for one of the most important works of art that that he did to the Piet you know, this was a marble he wants to use for it, And then Veronica, you have this art exhibition each year.
Yes, each year different, easier We have an artist from Spain is more like an open air art gallery.
And now you have all the designers, Oh, people come for shopping.
Yes.
Yeah.
But the same time you were able to find the little shops that shop for us first, I'll bring you there.
So I'm going to need some coffee for the shopping.
You don't belong to Forte dei Marmi if you don't have a piece from this place.
How beautiful.
and all the baskets.
I love the cat one.
Yes.
Wow.
You need a good straw bag for the beach.
I think its a good idea Maybe I should look ver at those This is a typical bag for the beach.
Yes, I love that.
Wow, That's institutional.
Yeah.
In Forte dei Marmi everyone has this Yeah.
Yes, Yes, 50 miles southeast is the small rural town of Lajatico sitting on a hill nestled between Pisa and Volterra.
During the Renaissance, the Medici family owned much of this land.
Now, Lajatico is notable not only for its most famous son and his active charitable foundation, but its winding streets pretty palazzi and captivating street art.
this is authentic part of Tuscany.
Alessio Barbafieri has been the mayor of Lajatico for the past ten years.
He loves everything about his town.
But, says Teatro del Silenzio, the Theater of silence is most special.
This meditative outdoor sanctuary where the colors change with the season breaks, it's quiet for only one or two nights each summer.
When Andrea Bocelli performs under a starlit sky.
Like stars across the sky We were born to shine So right behind us is where the maestro performs?
Yes.
This theater was born 18 years ago.
It was an idea of Andrea Bocelli and of the architect, Alberto Bartolini.
So why is it called Teatro del Silenzio If, if Andrea is performing music here?
Yes.
This theater is the theater of silence.
Because during all the years there is silence here and the show is the nature around.
And the silence is broken.
Only for two concerts every year with 10,000 people for each concert.
Amore mio forse sai Che domani non mi troverai Non mia la colpa la vita che mi porta via da te Incredible, incredible.
And do you go every year?
Yes, of course.
I think this is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Yes.
Yes, it is.
We are very proud.
Just a few miles away from Teatro del Silenzio lies the Bocelli family's 50 acre vineyard run by Andrea's brother Alberto and nephew Alessio.
There are few more pastoral vineyards to be found anywhere.
Andrea himself rides his horses here as often as he can.
Usually you'll find me here all year.
All year?
Yes.
Lots of work to d The Bocelli family has worked this land for almost 200 years, first as sharecroppers, then landowners.
When they bought the property in 1830 Seven generations later, Andrea, Alberto and Alessio have turned this small family farm into a world class winery.
Our wines through the generation my grandfather, great grandfather.
They all used to work with the Sangiovese grape So they all made their own wine.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
it's not a profession, it's not a job for us.
It's more of a, it's a set of family tradition to grow.
And you handpick them.
Everything is done by hand.
Yeah, absolutely by hand.
We work only on natural ways to not disrupt the nature.
We don't add anything.
Chemical to or to to fake the wines or anything.
Just what nature would give us.
You told me you had added Cabernet.
My uncle and my father, like it.
The taste of the Cabernet.
So they said, Why don't we planted vineyards and try to blend it with the Sangiovese?
And are you happy with that blend now?
Absolutely.
Actually, my favorite is the blend.
50% Sangiovese, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.
And it's going to be your favorite too.
I'm sure.
I have to ask youre a, Bocelli, do you ever sing while you're picking the grapes?
I just sing for the nature for having good grapes.
Do you think it helps them grow?
Let's hope.
one singer in the family is more than enough, and I keep it on drinking wine.
Okay.
Okay... Now I really want to taste it.
Can you help me with that?
Yeah, I can help you.
We should go try to the wine.
Okay.
They can speak for themselves.
I like that wine, but.
Or sing or sing or sing.
grazie Let's go.
The Bocellis were once in the tractor business and have transformed their former warehouse into a wine shop, restaurant and museum dedicated to the career of Andrea Bocelli.
you see, this place is a restaurant right now.
But it used to be our family home.
And there are.
My grandfather, great grandfather, used to work here fixing tractors.
You know, everything related to the country, of course, Right?
All the farmlands.
Yeah.
So anyone who wants who's visiting Tuscany can come to the restaurant, have lunch.
Absolutely.
Dinner, lunch, dinner, taste some wines, And stay with us.
So it's a complete Bocelli family experience.
Exactly.
I have talked to you about my favorite, so I want to open a bottle of Alcide for you.
Alcide was the name of my great grandfather.
Oh!
So This is the blend you were talking about Yeah, The blend 50% Sangiovese, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The only one.
Beautiful color.
What do you think it smells like?
It smells like good wine.
Okay, now I'm going to taste.
it's very rich, deep.
It would be great with, like, a Florentine steak The Cabernet Sauvignon have to smooth all the rough edges of the Sangiovese.
Right.
Well, I'm joined now here today with Alberto.
Oh, he has a good handshake.
Grazie Alessio Bocellis favorite composer is fellow Tuscan Giacomo Puccini, who wrote the legendary operas La Bohme, Madame Butterfly and Tosca.
I wanted to ask you about your inspiration.
Puccini.
And of the arias is there one is your favorite of course, thank you.
Nessun dorma Nessun dorma Beautiful, beautiful And what is it about Puccini's music that you that you appreciate so much that you love Puccini's music is a music for tears and emotions.
he arrives directly in the central of the heart.
Beautiful.
Puccini was born in 1858, in Lucca, a beautiful walled city where opera aficionados flock to pay homage to the composer.
So I've come to Lucca and I'm meeting a guide named Gabriella to show me this town and why it was such an influence for Puccini.
Gabriella, welcome Kathy We have the sun today under the Tuscan sun.
we're in a little square and very close to one of the most important place in Lucca, because we have the statue of our hero.
I see him coming up.
Yes, Puccini.
But here is the surprise, because we have two young singers and they come from the local High School of Music Celeste and Andrea.
And they will sing something for us.
Ooooo Babbo Piet Very good, so good.
Ti dico: addio fedele amico mio.
Addio. Very good, very good.
Bravo So they know how to catch any heart of the people with this incredible music that is still alive Puccini's childhood home is now a museum dedicated to the composer's life and houses his most beloved treasure.
Wow.
This is the most important room It's the main one where we can find the piano And this piano is probably one of the most famous in the world.
I can tell you it is.
because this is the Steinway and Sons on which he composed Turandot, How incredible.
Yes, Yes.
Half an hour away from Luca is Torre del Lago.
An idyllic lakeside town, where Puccini spent his last 30 years and wrote his most famous operas before passing away in 1924.
Opera fans from around the world flock to this lake for the annual Puccini festival.
Four operas are produced each summer, performed by the world's most celebrated opera singers.
Andrea Bocelli is one of them.
We've seen him perform around the world.
But for Bocelli, there's only one place that's home.
Tuscany, representing family, beauty, the land and music itself.
Della Sera.. In loving memory of Phineas Orazio McCabe Who is not just a terrier, but an Italian at heart Dream of Italy is made possible by: Parmigiano Reggiano is a distinctive flavor experience on its own or with your favorite dish, cheese crafted in the heart of Italy for over 1,000 years.
Authentic.
Local.
Traditional.
Parmigiano Reggiano.
Go Traveler.
Streaming TV travel app available on all smart TVs and app stores.
Don't go anywhere.
Just travel.
Miio your bridge to Italian craftsmanship: fashion, accessories, homeware and beauty.
Made in Italy only.
Jupiter, Florida and online.
Dalla Fonte bringing Italy to your doorstep.
A culinary adventure through Italy.
One plate at a time.
And also made possible by: For more about visiting Italy additional videos and a companion travel guide, visit DreamofItaly.com/tv Follow Dream of Italy on Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook
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