♪♪ -Welcome to one of the most iconic parks in the world, New York City's Central Park.

Tonight, tens of thousands of New Yorkers are gathered on the Great Lawn as they await to be serenaded by the international superstar, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

I'm Paula Zahn, and, as you can see, the stage is set and the musicians are in place in anticipation of an evening that Mr. Bocelli calls his gift to New York City.

And what a gift it promises to be.

Join us as "Great Performances" presents "Andrea Bocelli: Live in Central Park."

♪♪ -Major funding for "Great Performances" is provided by... ...supporting the arts and education... And by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

Funding for this program is also provided by... [ Gulls calling ] -With the New York City skyline as a dramatic backdrop, it's a beautiful evening to stretch out a blanket And listen to "Andrea Bocelli: Live in Central Park."

Andrea Bocelli is truly a musical phenomenon with a unique career that straddles the worlds of popular and classical music.

Tonight we'll get a rare taste of both, as Andrea has invited stars from those two worlds to join him.

We can expect operatic arias, Neapolitan songs, some of his well-known hits, and certainly a surprise or two from the beloved tenor.

Hi.

I'm Paula Zahn, and along with my good friends at public television, I'm thrilled to help bring you this once-in-a-lifetime concert.

Earlier, Andrea told us it has long been a dream of his to perform in Central Park.

Well, tonight, with the able assistance of the renowned New York Philharmonic under the baton of its music director, Alan Gilbert, that dream comes true for him and for us.

It rained here earlier, but the sky seems to be clearing as the crowd of more than 50,000 enters the park.

Over the years, the Great Lawn has showcased concerts by Simon and Garfunkel, Diana Ross, Garth Brooks and Luciano Pavarotti.

Tonight, Andrea Bocelli joins that most exclusive club.

To help us begin unwrapping this gift to New Yorkers and all of you watching at home, Maestro Gilbert has chosen the powerful and stirring overture from Verdi's "La Forza del Destino" -- "The Force of Destiny."

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] And with the final powerful chords of Verdi's "La Forza del Destino," Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic have gotten our concert off to a rousing start on this chilly evening.

For New Yorkers, the Philharmonic is not only a treasure but truly an institution, as it approaches its 170th birthday.

The wait is over for this enormous crowd as the man of the hour, tenor Andrea Bocelli, takes the stage of the Great Lawn.

To begin the concert, he has chosen a favorite of the tenor repertoire, "La donna e mobile" from Verdi's opera "Rigoletto."

♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ La donna e mobile ♪ ♪ Qual piuma al vento ♪ ♪ Muta d'accento ♪ ♪ E di pensiero ♪ ♪ Sempre un amabile ♪ ♪ Leggiadro viso ♪ ♪ In pianto o in riso ♪ ♪ E menzognero ♪ ♪ La donna e mobil ♪ ♪ Qual piuma al vento ♪ ♪ Muta d'accento ♪ ♪ E di pensier ♪ ♪♪ ♪ E di pensier ♪ ♪♪ ♪ E di pensier ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ E sempre misero ♪ ♪ Chi a lei s'affida ♪ ♪ Chi le confida ♪ ♪ Mal cauto il cuore ♪ ♪ Pur mai non sentesi ♪ ♪ Felice appieno ♪ ♪ Chi su quel seno ♪ ♪ Non liba amore ♪ ♪ La donna e mobil ♪ ♪ Qual piuma al vento ♪ ♪ Muta d'accento ♪ ♪ E di pensier ♪ ♪♪ ♪ E di pensier ♪ ♪♪ ♪ E di ♪ ♪ Pensier ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Although he's performed in New York before, most notably on Liberty Island overlooking the Twin Towers in the year 2000 and, poignantly, at the memorial for the victims of 9/11 less than a year later, performing here is always very special for Andrea.

It was his late father who inspired the dream that he sing outdoors in New York City, and with his mother in the audience tonight, that dream is fulfilled.

♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Di quella pira ♪ ♪ L'orrendo foco ♪ ♪ Tutte le fibre ♪ ♪ M'arse avvampo ♪ ♪ Empi spegnetela ♪ ♪ O ch'io tra poco ♪ ♪ Col sangue vostro ♪ ♪ La spegnero ♪ ♪ Era gia figlio ♪ ♪ Prima d'amarti ♪ ♪ Non puo frenarmi ♪ ♪ Il tuo martir ♪ ♪ Madre infelice ♪ ♪ Corro a salvarti ♪ ♪ O teco almeno ♪ ♪ Corro a morir ♪ ♪ O teco almeno corro a morir ♪ ♪ O teco almeno ♪ ♪ O teco almeno ♪ ♪ Corro a morir ♪ -♪ All'armi, all'armi ♪ ♪ All'armi, all'armi!

♪ -♪ Madre in felice ♪ -♪ All'armi, all'armi!

All'armi, all'armi!

♪ -♪ Corro salvarti ♪ ♪ Teco almen ♪ ♪ Almeno corro a morir ♪ -♪ All'armi, all'armi!

All'armi, all'armi!

♪ -♪ Madre in felice ♪ -♪ All'armi, all'armi!

All'armi, all'armi!

♪ -♪ Corro salvarti ♪ ♪ Teco almeno ♪ -♪ Teco, teco, a pugnar teco, teco a morir ♪ -♪ All'armi, all'armi!

♪ -♪ All'armi!

All'armi all'armi, all'armi!

♪ -♪ All'armi!

♪ -♪ All'armi!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Andrea Bocelli has just performed the thrilling "Di Quella Pira" from Verdi's "Il Trovatore."

-It's a big pleasure and honor to share the pleasure of this concert with a big friend of mine, big artist, big man.

Ladies and gentlemen, Bryn Terfel.

-Bryn Terfel, one of the brightest stars of the Metropolitan Opera.

He is currently playing Wotan, the king of the gods, in the new Met production of Wagner's Ring Cycle.

Tonight he takes on another famous role, Puccini's lecherous villain, Scarpia.

-I can't hear you!

Thank you very much!

Well, I have to thank Andrea for his invitation to the party in the park.

Now then, the son of a sheep farmer from North Wales is very happy to be here.

This next scene comes from the opera "Tosca," by Puccini, and the very, very evil Baron Scarpia, who's the chief of police, is lusting after the prima donna Floria Tosca.

♪♪ ♪ Tre sbirri, una carrozza, presto ♪ ♪ Seguila dovunque vada!

Non visto!

Provvedi!

♪ ♪ Palazzo farnese ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Va, Tosca!

♪ ♪ Nel tuo cuor s'annida Scarpia ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Va, Tosca!

♪ ♪ E Scarpia che scioglie a volo il falco ♪ ♪ Della tua gelosia ♪ ♪ Quanta promessa ♪ ♪ Nel tuo pronto sospetto ♪ ♪ Nel tuo cuor ♪ ♪ S'annida Scarpia ♪ ♪ Va, Tosca!

♪ ♪♪ -♪ Adjutorum nostrum in nomine domine ♪ ♪ Qui fecit coelum et terram ♪ -♪ A doppia mira ♪ ♪ Tendo il voler ♪ ♪ Ne il capo del ribelle ♪ ♪ E la piu preziosa ♪ ♪ Ah, di quegli occhi ♪ ♪ Vittoriosi veder la fiamma ♪ ♪ Illanguidir ♪ ♪ Con spasimo d'amor ♪ ♪ Fra le mie braccia ♪ ♪ Illanguidir ♪ ♪ D'amor ♪ ♪ L'uno al capestro ♪ ♪ L'altra fra le mie braccia ♪ -♪ Te deum ♪ ♪ Laudamus ♪ ♪ Te dominum ♪ ♪ Confitemur!

♪ -♪ Tosca!

♪ ♪ Mi fai dimenticare iddio ♪ ♪ Te aeternum ♪ ♪ Patrem ♪ ♪ Omnis terra ♪ ♪ Veneratur ♪ [ Laughs menacingly ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -With that powerful performance, Bryn Terfel, Alan Gilbert, and the New York Philharmonic along with the Westminster Symphonic Choir, bring down the house -- actually, our temporary concert hall in Central Park.

Andrea Bocelli returns to the stage to perform quite possibly the most well-known sacred aria, Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria."

♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Ave Maria ♪ -♪ Ave Maria ♪ ♪ Vergin del ciel ♪ ♪ Sovrana di grazie ♪ ♪ E madre pia ♪ ♪ Che accogli ognor la fervente preghiera ♪ ♪ Non negar ♪ ♪ A questo straziato mio cuor ♪ ♪ Tregua al suo dolor ♪ ♪ Sperduta l'almamia si prosta a te ♪ ♪ E pien di speme si prostra ai tuoi pie ♪ ♪ T'invoca e attende ♪ ♪ Che tu le dia ♪ ♪ La pace ♪ ♪ Che solo tu puoi donar ♪ ♪ Ave Maria ♪ ♪ Ave Maria ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Sperduta l'almamia si prosta e te ♪ ♪ E pien di speme si prostraai tuoi pie ♪ ♪ T'invoca e attende ♪ ♪ Che tu le dia ♪ ♪ La pace ♪ ♪ Che solo tu puoi donar ♪ ♪ Ave ♪ ♪ Maria ♪ ♪ Maria ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -An inspirational moment for this huge crowd from Andrea Bocelli.

We'll return to Central Park right after this brief intermission.

-Welcome back to the Great Lawn of New York City's Central Park.

Joining Andrea Bocelli as he returns to the stage is Puerto Rican-born lyric soprano Ana María Martínez.

Miss Martínez is reunited tonight not only with Mr. Bocelli, with whom she has toured, but also with Maestro Gilbert, who led her in her tribute to Leonard Bernstein at Carnegie Hall in selections from another great New York City institution, the musical "West Side Story."

♪♪ -♪ Vicino a te s'acqueta ♪ ♪ L'irrequieta anima mia ♪ ♪ Tu sei la meta d'ogni desio ♪ ♪ D'ogni sogno, d'ogni poesia!

♪ ♪ Entro al tuo sguardo ♪ ♪ L'iridescenza scerno ♪ ♪ De li spazi ♪ ♪ Infiniti ♪ ♪ Ti guardo in questo fiotto verde ♪ ♪ Di tua larga ♪ ♪ Pupilla ♪ ♪ Erro ♪ ♪ Coll'anima ♪ -♪ Per non lasciarti son qui ♪ ♪ Non e un addio!

♪ ♪ Vengo a morire con te!

♪ ♪ Fini il soffrire!

♪ ♪ La morte nell'amarti!

♪ ♪ Ah!

Chi la parola estrema ♪ ♪ Dalle labbra ♪ ♪ Raccoglie, e lui, l'amor!

♪ -♪ Tu sei ♪ ♪ La meta ♪ ♪ Dell'esistenza mia!

♪ ♪ Il nostro ♪ ♪ E amore ♪ ♪ D'anime ♪ ♪ D'anime ♪ -♪ Salvo una madre ♪ ♪ Maddalena all'alba ♪ ♪ Ha nome per la morte ♪ ♪ Idia legray ♪ ♪ Vedi?

La luce incerta del crepuscolo ♪ ♪ Giu pe' squallidi androni gia lumeggia ♪ ♪ Abbracciami!

♪ ♪ Baciami!

♪ ♪ Amante!

♪ -♪ Orgoglio di bellezza!

♪ ♪ Trionfo tu, de l'anima!

♪ ♪ Il tuo amor, sublime amante, e mare ♪ ♪ E ciel, luce di sole ♪ ♪ E d'astri ♪ -♪ E il mondo ♪ ♪ Amante ♪ -♪ La nostra morte e il trionfo dell'amor!

♪ -♪ La nostra ♪ ♪ Morte ♪ ♪ E il trionfo dell'amor!

♪ -♪ Benedico ♪ ♪ La sorte ♪ -♪ Nell'ora che si muore eterni diveniamo!

♪ -♪ Morte!

♪ -♪ Infinito!

♪ -♪ Amore!

♪ ♪ La morte!

♪ ♪♪ -♪ E la morte!

♪ -♪ E la morte!

♪ -♪ Ella vien col sole!

♪ -♪ Ella vien col mattino!

♪ -♪ Ah, viene ♪ ♪ Come ♪ ♪ L'aurora!

♪ -♪ Col ♪ ♪ Sole ♪ ♪ Che la ♪ ♪ Indora!

♪ -♪ Ne viene a noi dal cielo ♪ ♪ Entro un vel ♪ ♪ Di rose e viole!

♪ -♪ Amor!

♪ ♪ Amor!

♪ ♪ Infinito!

♪ ♪ Amor!

♪ ♪ Amor!

♪ -Andrea Chenier!

-Son io!

-Idia legray!

-Son io!

-♪ Viva la morte ♪ ♪ Insiem!

♪ ♪ Insiem!

♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Umberto Giordano's beautiful and dramatic "Vicino a te" performed by Andrea Bocelli and the very talented Ana María Martínez.

Nothing says "opera" like two lovers being led off to the guillotine together, don't you think?

Bryn Terfel returns to the stage, but this time he and Mr. Bocelli will combine their powerful voices to the thrill of the thousands gathered here on the Great Lawn.

Buddies in real life, Andrea Bocelli and Bryn Terfel will now perform Bizet's buddy song from his opera "The Pearl Fishers."

♪♪ -♪ C'etait le soir!

♪ ♪ Dans l'air par la brise attiedi ♪ ♪ Les brahmines ♪ ♪ Au front inonde de lumiere ♪ ♪ Appelaient lentement la foule ♪ ♪ A la priere!

♪ -♪ Au fond du temple saint ♪ ♪ Pare de fleurs et d'or ♪ ♪ Une femme apparait!

♪ -♪ Une femme apparait ♪ -♪ Je crois la voir encore!

♪ -♪ Je crois la voir encore!

♪ -♪ La foule prosternee ♪ ♪ La regarde, etonnee ♪ ♪ Et murmure tout bas ♪ ♪ Voyez, c'est la deesse ♪ ♪ Qui dans l'ombre se dresse ♪ ♪ Et vers nous tend les bras!

♪ -♪ Son voile se souleve ♪ ♪ O vision ♪ ♪ O reve ♪ ♪ La foule est a genoux ♪ -♪ Oui, c'est elle ♪ ♪ C'est la deesse ♪ ♪ Plus charmante ♪ ♪ Et plus belle ♪ ♪ Oui, c'est elle ♪ ♪ C'est la deesse ♪ ♪ Qui descend parmi nous ♪ ♪ Son voile se souleve ♪ ♪ Et la foule est a genoux ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Mais a travers la foule ♪ ♪ Elle s'ouvre un passage ♪ -♪ Son long voile deja ♪ ♪ Nous cache son visage ♪ -♪ Mon regard ♪ ♪ Helas ♪ ♪ La cherche en vain ♪ ♪♪ -♪ Elle fuit ♪ -♪ Elle fuit!

♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Mais dans mon ame soudain ♪ ♪ Quelle etrange ardeur s'allume ♪ -♪ Quel feu nouveau me consume ♪ -♪ Ta main repousse ma main ♪ -♪ Ta main repousse ma main!

♪ -♪ De nos coeurs l'amour s'empare ♪ ♪ Et nous change en ennemis ♪ -♪ Non, que rien ne nous separe ♪ -♪ Non, rien!

♪ -♪ Que rien ne nous separe ♪ -♪ Non, rien ♪ -♪ Jurons de rester amis ♪ -♪ Jurons de rester amis ♪ -♪ Jurons de rester amis ♪ - ♪ Ah, oui, jurons de rester amis ♪ ♪ Oui, c'est elle, c'est la deesse ♪ ♪ En ce jour qui vient nous unir ♪ ♪ Et fidele a ma promesse ♪ ♪ Comme un frere je veux te cherir ♪ ♪ C'est elle, c'est la deesse ♪ ♪ Qui vient en ce jour nous unir ♪ ♪ Oui, partageons ♪ ♪ Le meme sort ♪ ♪ Soyons unis ♪ ♪ Jusqu'a ♪ ♪ La mort ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -A rousing reception for an equally rousing song of friendship, brilliantly performed by Andrea Bocelli and Bryn Terfel.

Up next, Andrea Bocelli returns, this time with a rising star of the opera world -- South African-born Pretty Yende.

As a child, Miss Yende's first exposure to opera was hearing the flower duet from Delibes' "Lakme" in a British Airways commercial and was immediately hooked.

This summer she won Placido Domingo's prestigious Operalia Competition.

She joins Andrea Bocelli for one of Puccini's most adored and romantic duets, from "La Boheme."

-Thank you to be here.

Because, in spite of the rain and the cold, you are really heroes.

Thank you.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ O soave fanciulla ♪ ♪ O dolce viso ♪ ♪ Di mite circonfuso ♪ ♪ Alba lunar ♪ ♪ In te, ravviso ♪ ♪ Il sogno ch'io vorrei ♪ ♪ Sempre sognar ♪ -♪ Fremon gia nell'anima ♪ -♪ Le dolcezze estreme ♪ -♪ Tu sol ♪ ♪ Comandi, amore ♪ -♪ Fremon nell'anima ♪ -♪ Oh!

Come dolci scendono ♪ -♪ Dolcezze estreme ♪ -♪ Le sue lusinghe al core ♪ -♪ Fremon...dolcezze estreme ♪ -♪ Tu sol comandi, amor ♪ -♪ Nel bacio freme ♪ ♪ Amor ♪ -♪ No, per pieta!

♪ -♪ Sei mia!

♪ -♪ V'aspettan gli amici ♪ -♪ Gia mi mandi via?

♪ -♪ Vorrei dir ma non oso ♪ -♪ Di ♪ -♪ Se venissi con voi?

♪ -♪ Che?

Mimi!

♪ ♪ Sarebbe cosi ♪ ♪ Dolce restar qui ♪ ♪ C'e freddo fuori ♪ -♪ Vi staro ♪ ♪ Vicina ♪ -♪ E al ritorno?

♪ -♪ Curioso!

♪ -♪ Dammi il braccio, mia piccina ♪ -♪ Obbedisco, signor ♪ -♪ Che m'ami di?

♪ -♪ Io t'amo ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Amor!

♪ ♪ Amor!

♪ ♪ Amor!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -What a beautiful duet, brilliantly performed by Andrea Bocelli and Pretty Yende.

Here's to love!

And here's to another duet, which celebrates toasts of all kinds -- the drinking song from Giuseppi Verdi's "La Traviata."

For those of you at home, cheers!

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Libiamo ♪ ♪ Libiamo ne' lieti calici ♪ ♪ Che la bellezza infiora ♪ ♪ E la fuggevol ora ♪ ♪ S'innebrii a volutta ♪ ♪ Libiam ne' dolci fremiti ♪ ♪ Che suscita l'amore ♪ ♪ Poiche quell'occhio al core ♪ ♪ Onnipotente va ♪ ♪ Libiamo amore ♪ ♪ Amor fra I calici piu caldi baci avra ♪ -♪ Ah!

Libiam, amor fra calici ♪ ♪ Piu caldi baci avra ♪ -♪ Tra voi, tra voi ♪ ♪ Sapro dividere ♪ ♪ Il tempo mio giocondo ♪ ♪ Tutto e follia follia nel mondo ♪ ♪ Cio che non e piacer ♪ ♪ Godiam, fugace e rapido ♪ ♪ E il gaudio dell'amore ♪ ♪ E un fior che nasce e muore ♪ ♪ Ne piu si puo goder ♪ ♪ Godiam c'invita, c'invita ♪ ♪ Un fervido accento lusighier!

♪ -♪ Ah!

Godiamo ♪ ♪ La tazza, la tazza e il cantico ♪ ♪ La notte abbella e il riso ♪ ♪ In questo, in questo paradiso ♪ ♪ Ne scopra il nuovo di ♪ -♪ La vita e nel tripudio ♪ -♪ Quando non s'ami ancora ♪ -♪ Nol dite a chi l'ignora ♪ -♪ E il mio destin cosi ♪ -♪ Godiamo, la tazza, la tazza e il cantico ♪ ♪ La notte abbella e il riso ♪ ♪ In questo, in questo paradiso ♪ ♪ Ne scopra il nuovo di ♪ ♪ Ah, ah, ah, ne scopra il di ♪ ♪ Ah, ah, ah, ne scopra il di ♪ ♪ Ah!

Si!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -And with that ovation, we come to the end of the operatic portion of our concert here on the Great Lawn of New York's Central Park, but there's much more to come.

As promised, Andrea Bocelli's "gift to New York" is a gift that will keep on giving, including more special guest stars, as well as some of Andrea Bocelli's biggest hits.

But right now, in this short intermission, why not give a gift of your own to your public television station, without whom you wouldn't be enjoying this wonderful concert?

Pick up the phone, grab the nearest mobile device or fire up your computer and get in touch with your public television station to let them know this is the kind of programming you want to see.

We'll be right back to New York City's Great Lawn after this short break.

-Welcome back to the Great Lawn of New York City's Central Park for more of tonight's "gift to New York" from the great Andrea Bocelli.

I'm Paula Zahn.

And as Mr. Bocelli and Maestro Gilbert take the stage, opera takes a back seat to contemporary music.

-Italy, it's the country where opera was born, but not only.

Recently we had also wonderful composers of music for movies, and tonight for the first time in my life, I will perform some beautiful melodies, music of Riz Ortolani and Ennio Morricone.

Thank you.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I woke ♪ ♪ And you were there ♪ ♪ Beside me in the night ♪ ♪ You touched me ♪ ♪ And calmed my fear ♪ ♪ Turned darkness ♪ ♪ To light ♪ ♪ To light ♪ ♪ I woke ♪ ♪ And saw you there ♪ ♪ Beside me ♪ ♪ As before ♪ ♪ My heart leapt ♪ ♪ To find you near ♪ ♪ To feel you close ♪ ♪ Once more ♪ ♪ To feel your love ♪ ♪ Once more ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Your strength ♪ ♪ Has made me strong ♪ ♪ Though life ♪ ♪ Tore us apart ♪ ♪ And now when ♪ ♪ The night seems long ♪ ♪ Your love shines ♪ ♪ In my heart ♪ ♪ Your love shines ♪ ♪ In my heart ♪ ♪ In my heart ♪ ♪ In my heart ♪ [ Applause ] Now, there's another big friend of us, friend of all of us.

I'm sure you know -- you know him very well.

Ladies and gentlemen, David Foster.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Mr. Foster has been called "The Hit Man," and for good reason, having not only composed a score of hit songs himself, but also having discovered and nurtured some huge stars along the way.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Good evening, Andrea.

-Hi, David.

-I was out there with the people, listening to the concert, and you are -- I don't know if you can say this on TV -- but, you are singing your ass off.

[ Laughter ] It is unbelievable!

It sounds so great.

I wanted to say that Andrea and I have worked together a lot, and we have great fun together.

And, as he mentioned, a couple of the composers -- Morricone -- but there's a lot of Italian -- popular Italian songs that became big in America, and this one was from 1962.

And it won a Grammy for Riz Ortolani.

And when I said to Andrea that we should do this song, like, amore style, kind of sexy like Andrea Bocelli... he said... he said, "No, we must do it the way America knows it, the way New York knows it, because it was known as a swing song with Frank Sinatra."

So, we're going to do it big band style.

And we have a special treat.

Would you like to introduce our friend who's going to play trumpet with us?

-He's another big friend of ours, the greatest instrumentalist, Chris Botti.

-Chris Botti, everyone!

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ More than the greatest love ♪ ♪ The world has known ♪ ♪ This is the love ♪ ♪ I give to you alone ♪ ♪ More than the simple words ♪ ♪ I try to say ♪ ♪ I only live ♪ ♪ To love you more ♪ ♪ Each day ♪ ♪ More than you'll ever know ♪ ♪ My arms long to hold you so ♪ ♪ My life will be in your keeping ♪ ♪ Waking, sleeping, laughing, weeping ♪ ♪ Longer than always ♪ ♪ Is a long, long time ♪ ♪ But far beyond forever you'll be mine ♪ ♪ I know I've never lived before ♪ ♪ And my heart is very sure ♪ ♪ No one else could love you more ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ More than you'll ever know ♪ ♪ My arms long to hold you so ♪ ♪ My life will be in your keeping ♪ ♪ Waking, sleeping, laughing, weeping ♪ ♪ Longer than always ♪ ♪ Is a long, long time ♪ ♪ But far beyond forever ♪ ♪ You're gonna be mine ♪ ♪ I know I've never lived before ♪ ♪ And my heart is very sure ♪ ♪ No one else could love you ♪ ♪ More ♪ ♪ More ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -No stranger to public television himself, Chris Botti has thrilled more than a few huge crowds like this one, and has probably stolen a few hearts along the way.

-Nice one, Chris.

-Thank you, David.

-Andrea, swinging like Sinatra.

Amazing.

Incredible, there's nothing this man cannot do.

And that leads us to this next song, which is another great Italian pop song.

Do you want to talk about this song a little bit?

-I think that everyone can sing with us tonight.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Penso che un sogno cosi non ritorni mai piu ♪ [ Applause ] ♪ Mi dipingevo le mani e la faccia di blu ♪ ♪ Poi d'improvviso venivo dal vento rapito ♪ ♪ E incominciavo a volare ♪ ♪ Nel cielo infinito ♪ ♪ Volare ♪ ♪ Oh, oh!

♪ ♪ Cantare ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh!

♪ ♪ Nel blu, dipinto di blu ♪ ♪ Felice di stare lassu ♪ ♪ E volavo, volavo ♪ ♪ Felice piu in alto del sole ed ancora piu su ♪ ♪ Mentre il mondo pian piano spariva lontano laggiu ♪ ♪ Una musica dolce suonava soltanto per me ♪ ♪ Volare ♪ ♪ Oh, oh!

♪ ♪ Cantare ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh!

♪ ♪ Nel blu, dipinto di blu ♪ ♪ Felice di stare lassu ♪ ♪ Ma tutti I sogni nell'alba svaniscon perche ♪ ♪ Quando tramonta, la luna li porta con se ♪ ♪ Ma io continuo ♪ ♪ A sognare negli occhi tuoi belli ♪ ♪ Che sono blu come un cielo ♪ ♪ Trapunto di stelle ♪ ♪ Volare ♪ ♪ Oh, oh!

♪ ♪ Cantare ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh!

♪ ♪ Nel blu, degli occhi tuoi blu ♪ ♪ Felice di stare quaggiu ♪ ♪ E continuo a volare felice piu in alto ♪ ♪ Del sole dd ancora piu su ♪ ♪ Volare ♪ ♪ Oh, oh!

♪ ♪ Cantare ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh!

♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -By the way, I don't know if it's been said tonight or not, but the New York Philharmonic Orchestra is absolutely stunning!

[ Cheers and applause ] Alan, brilliant.

Incredible.

Andrea and I had the great pleasure of working with this next lady about 12 years ago, and my friend Carole Bayer Sager and I wrote this song for them, and, Andrea, maybe you'd like to talk a little bit about, before we introduce her, about the song and Elizabeth, who was your dear friend and you wanted to dedicate this.

-But your English is much better than my English so... -But you're Andrea Bocelli and I'm not, so... Well, Andrea and Elizabeth Taylor had a great love affair together... Not literally, but, um...

Although maybe they did, I don't know.

But Elizabeth had such great love, as we all do here, for Andrea, and he wanted to dedicate this song in her memory this evening.

And I want to introduce to you my -- I guess -- my two favorite singers in the world.

One of them standing beside me, and this next one singer, who, I don't know what else to say except she is the one -- I'm Canadian -- the one, the only Céline Dion!

[ Applause ] -Good evening.

Hello.

How are you?

[ Applause ] [ Cheering ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I pray you'll be our eyes ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ And watch us where we go ♪ ♪ And help us to be wise ♪ ♪ In times when we don't know ♪ ♪ Let this be our prayer ♪ ♪ When we lose our way ♪ ♪ Lead us to a place ♪ ♪ Guide us with your grace ♪ ♪ To a place where we'll be safe ♪ -♪ La luce che tu dai ♪ -♪ I pray we'll find your light ♪ -♪ Nel cuore restera ♪ -♪ And hold it in our hearts ♪ -♪ A ricordarci che ♪ -♪ When stars go out each night ♪ -♪ L'eterna stella sei ♪ -♪ Oh ♪ -♪ Nella mia preghiera ♪ -♪ Let this be our prayer ♪ -♪ Quanta fede c'e ♪ -♪ When shadows fill our day ♪ -♪ Lead us to a place ♪ -♪ Guide us with your grace ♪ -♪ Give us faith so we'll be safe ♪ ♪ Sogniamo un mondo ♪ ♪ Senza piu violenza ♪ ♪ Un mondo di ♪ ♪ Giustizia e di speranza ♪ ♪ Ognuno dia la ♪ ♪ Mano al suo vicino ♪ ♪ Simbolo di pace ♪ ♪ E di fraternita ♪ -♪ La forza che ci dai ♪ -♪ We ask that life be kind ♪ -♪ E'il desiderio che ♪ -♪ And watch us from above ♪ -♪ Ognuno trovi amor ♪ -♪ We hope each soul will find ♪ -♪ Intorno e dentro a se ♪ -♪ Another soul to love ♪ -♪ Let this be our prayer ♪ -♪ Let this be our prayer ♪ -♪ Just like every child ♪ -♪ Just like every child ♪ -♪ Needs to find a place ♪ ♪ Guide us with your grace ♪ ♪ Give us faith so we'll be safe ♪ ♪ E la fede che ♪ ♪ Hai acceso in noi ♪ ♪ Sento che ci salvera ♪ ♪ Sento che ci salvera ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion performing David Foster's Oscar-nominated song, "The Prayer."

-Thank you, Céline!

-Thank you, everybody!

Thank you, New York!

Good night!

[ Cheers and applause ] -Beautiful lady.

Wonderful friend.

Thank you, Céline Dion.

Thank you, David Foster.

-This is a night New Yorkers will remember for a very long time.

And, thanks to public television, it's a night you won't soon forget, either.

We'll be right back to New York City's Great Lawn after this short break.

-Welcome back to the Great Lawn of New York City's Central Park for more of tonight's "gift to New York" from the great Andrea Bocelli.

I'm Paula Zahn, and from where I stand here tonight on our broadcast stage, I see a lot of determined New Yorkers braving the rain and the chill in the air to hear singing sensation Andrea Bocelli.

There are more stars of the music world to come as we await the return of Mr. Bocelli and his special guests.

Up next, music more associated with the gardens of Spain -- Joaquin Rodrigo's "En Aranjuez con tu amor," performed by Andrea Bocelli and the captivating young Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti.

Originally composed for classical guitar, this arrangement came from another New York Philharmonic music director and violinist, Lorin Maazel.

♪♪ -♪ Aranjuez ♪ ♪ Un lugar de ensueños y de amor ♪ ♪ Donde un rumor de fuentes de cristal ♪ ♪ En el jardin parece hablar ♪ ♪ En voz baja a las rosas ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Aranjuez ♪ ♪ Hoy las hojas secas sin color ♪ ♪ Que barre el viento son recuerdos del romance ♪ ♪ Que una vez ♪ ♪ Juntos empezamos ♪ ♪ Tu y yo ♪ ♪ Y sin razon olvidamos ♪ ♪ Quiza ese amor ♪ ♪ Escondido este ♪ ♪ En un atardecer ♪ ♪ En la brisa o en la flor ♪ ♪ Esperando tu regreso ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Aranjuez ♪ ♪ Hoy las hojas secas sin color ♪ ♪ Que barre el viento ♪ ♪ Son recuerdos del romance ♪ ♪ Que una vez ♪ ♪ Juntos empezamos tu y yo ♪ ♪ Y sin razon olvidamos ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Aranjuez amor tu y yo!

♪ ♪ Aranjuez amor tu y yo!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Beautiful.

Nicola Benedetti.

-Next, a song so associated with Italy that during the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, when the music to Italy's national anthem couldn't be found, the conductor played this song instead.

♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Che bella cosa ♪ ♪ E' na giornata 'e sole ♪ ♪ N'aria serena doppo na tempesta!

♪ ♪ Pe' ll'aria fresca ♪ ♪ Pare gia na festa ♪ ♪ Che bella cosa ♪ ♪ E' na giornata ♪ ♪ 'E sole ♪ ♪ Ma n'atu sole ♪ ♪ Cchiu bello, oi ne' ♪ ♪ 'O sole mio ♪ ♪ Sta 'nfronte a te ♪ ♪ 'O sole ♪ ♪ 'O sole mio ♪ ♪ Sta 'nfronte a te ♪ ♪ Sta 'nfronte a te ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Quanno fa notte ♪ ♪ E 'o sole se ne scenne ♪ ♪ Me vene quase ♪ ♪ 'Na malincunia ♪ ♪ Sotto 'a fenesta ♪ ♪ Toia restarria ♪ ♪ Quanno fa notte ♪ ♪ E 'o sole se ne scenne ♪ ♪ Ma n'atu sole ♪ ♪ Cchiu bello, oi ne' ♪ ♪ 'O sole mio ♪ ♪ Sta 'nfronte a te ♪ ♪ 'O sole ♪ ♪ 'O sole mio ♪ ♪ Sta 'nfronte a te ♪ ♪ Sta 'nfronte a te ♪ ♪ Sta 'nfronte a te ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Eduardo Di Capua's timeless classic, "O Sole Mio," performed by Andrea Bocelli, the New York Philharmonic and the Westminster Symphonic Choir, all under the baton of Maestro Alan Gilbert.

Bryn Terfel returns to the stage for a song you might not expect from this famous opera baritone.

-Thank you very much.

This next song my grandfather used to sing to me and whistle to me.

You might know it, and if you want to join in and say that you've sang with us here in Central Park, I'd love to hear you singing in harmony, please.

[ Laughter ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh, give me a home ♪ ♪ Where the buffalo roam ♪ ♪ Where the deer and the antelope play ♪ ♪ Where seldom is heard ♪ ♪ A discouraging word ♪ ♪ And the skies are not cloudy all day ♪ ♪ Home ♪ ♪ Home on the range ♪ ♪ Where the deer and the antelope play ♪ ♪ Where seldom is heard ♪ ♪ A discouraging word ♪ ♪ And the skies are not cloudy all day ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ How often at night ♪ ♪ When the heavens are bright ♪ ♪ With the light from the glittering stars ♪ ♪ Have I stood here amazed ♪ ♪ And asked as I gazed ♪ ♪ If their glory exceeds ♪ ♪ That of ours ♪ All together!

-♪ Home, home on the range ♪ ♪ Where the deer and the antelope play ♪ ♪ Where seldom is heard ♪ ♪ A discouraging word ♪ -♪ And the skies are not cloudy ♪ ♪ All day ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ Home, home on the range ♪ ♪ Where the deer and the antelope play ♪ ♪ Where seldom is heard ♪ ♪ A discouraging word ♪ ♪ And the skies ♪ ♪ Are not cloudy ♪ ♪ All day ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -How much fun was that?

That certainly was not what you would expect to hear in Central Park.

And while we often associate opera singers with concert halls and big city life, Bryn Terfel himself is the son of a farmer from a small village, so he's quite at home on the range.

♪♪ -♪ Amazing grace ♪ ♪ How sweet the sound ♪ ♪ That saved a wretch ♪ ♪ Like me ♪ ♪ I once was lost ♪ ♪ But now am found ♪ ♪ Was blind but now ♪ ♪ I see ♪ ♪ 'Twas grace ♪ ♪ That taught ♪ ♪ My heart ♪ ♪ To fear ♪ ♪ And grace ♪ ♪ My fears ♪ ♪ Relieved ♪ ♪ How precious did ♪ ♪ That grace appear ♪ ♪ The hour ♪ ♪ I first ♪ ♪ Believed ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Yea, when this flesh ♪ ♪ And heart shall fail ♪ ♪ And mortal life ♪ ♪ Shall cease ♪ ♪ I shall possess ♪ ♪ Within the veil ♪ ♪ A life of joy ♪ ♪ And peace ♪ ♪ Amazing grace ♪ ♪ How sweet the sound ♪ ♪ That saved a wretch ♪ ♪ Like me ♪ ♪ I once was lost ♪ ♪ But now am found ♪ ♪ Was blind ♪ ♪ But now ♪ ♪ I see ♪ ♪ Was blind ♪ ♪ But now ♪ ♪ I see ♪ ♪ I see ♪ ♪ I see ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Andrea Bocelli with the Westminster Symphonic Choir and the always-moving "Amazing Grace."

We'll be back to New York City's Great Lawn after this short break.

-This New York City crowd just can't get enough and wants more.

Next, Andrea has another treat for his New York audience, as the stars have finally broken through the clouds.

Now we have another... another big surprise.

[ Cheers and applause ] A legend -- Tony Bennett!

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Start spreading the news ♪ ♪ I'm leaving today ♪ ♪ I want to be a part of it ♪ ♪ New York, New York ♪ ♪ These vagabond shoes ♪ ♪ Are longing to stray ♪ ♪ Right through ♪ ♪ The very heart of it ♪ ♪ New York, New York ♪ ♪ I want to wake up ♪ ♪ In a city that doesn't sleep ♪ ♪ And find I'm ♪ ♪ King of the hill ♪ ♪ Top of the heap ♪ -♪ These little town blues ♪ ♪ Are melting away ♪ ♪ I'll make a brand-new start of it ♪ ♪ In old New York ♪ ♪ If I can make it there ♪ ♪ I'll make it anywhere ♪ -♪ It's up to you ♪ ♪ New York, New York ♪ ♪♪ -♪ New York ♪ -♪ New York ♪ -♪ I want to wake up ♪ ♪ In a city that never sleeps ♪ ♪ And find I'm a-number one ♪ ♪ Top of the list ♪ ♪ King of the hill ♪ ♪ A-number one ♪ -♪ These little town blues ♪ ♪ Are melting away ♪ -♪ I'm gonna make a brand-new start of it ♪ ♪ In old New York ♪ ♪ And ♪ -♪ If we can make it there ♪ -♪ If I can make it there ♪ -♪ We'll make it everywhere ♪ -♪ I'm gonna make it anywhere ♪ -♪ It's up to you ♪ ♪ New York, New York ♪ ♪ New York ♪ ♪ New York ♪ -Yeah.

[ Cheers and applause ] -What a moment as the crowd applauds local hero Anthony Dominick Benedetto, or, as we all know him, Tony Bennett.

Even though he left his heart in San Francisco, Tony is actually a favorite son of New York who hails from Astoria, Queens.

-Thanks to Tony Bennett!

[ Cheers and applause ] -While it's the official end of the concert, the audience isn't ready to call it a night now that the moon is out, and I doubt Mr. Bocelli is, either.

-Thank you very much.

To the orchestra, to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, to Maestro Alan Gilbert, to the Westminster Symphonic Choir, to the Central Park Conservancy, the city of New York, and, above all, thank you to be here.

Thank you very much.

[ Cheers and applause ] -There's always a moment in a great career where all the stars align and something magical happens.

Such is the case with this next song, which literally took off after a last-minute pairing of Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.

It will forever be linked to the great tenor as, perhaps, his signature song.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Quando sono sola sogno all'orizzonte ♪ ♪ E mancan le parole ♪ ♪ Si lo so che non c'e luce ♪ ♪ In una stanza quando manca il sole ♪ ♪ Se non ci sei ♪ ♪ Tu con me, con me ♪ ♪ Su le finestre ♪ ♪ Mostra a tutti il mio cuore ♪ ♪ Che hai acceso ♪ ♪ Chiudi dentro me ♪ ♪ La luce che ♪ ♪ Hai incontrato per strada ♪ ♪ Con te partiro ♪ ♪ Paesi che non ho mai ♪ ♪ Veduto e vissuto con te ♪ ♪ Adesso si li vivro ♪ ♪ Con te partiro ♪ ♪ Su navi per mari che ♪ ♪ Io lo so ♪ ♪ No, no, non esistono piu ♪ ♪ Con te io rivivro ♪ ♪ Quando sei lontana sogno ♪ ♪ All'orizzonte e mancan le parole ♪ ♪ E io si lo so che sei con me, con me ♪ ♪ Tu mia luna tu sei qui con me ♪ ♪ Mio sole tu sei qui con me, con me ♪ ♪ Con me, con me ♪ -♪ Time to say goodbye ♪ ♪ Paesi ♪ ♪ Che non ho mai ♪ ♪ Veduto e vissuto con te ♪ ♪ Adesso si li vivro ♪ ♪ Con te partiro ♪ ♪ Su navi per mari ♪ ♪ Che io lo so ♪ ♪ No, no, non esistono piu ♪ ♪ Con te io li rivivro ♪ ♪ Con te partiro ♪ ♪ Su navi per mari che ♪ ♪ Io lo so ♪ ♪ No, no, non esistono piu ♪ ♪ Con te io li rivivro ♪ ♪ Con te partiro ♪ -♪ Paesi che non ho mai ♪ ♪ Veduto e vissuto con te ♪ -♪ Io con te ♪ -♪ Io con te ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Thank you very much!

-Andrea Bocelli and Ana María Martínez bring this concert to a fitting close with "Time to Say Goodbye," a song many have waited all evening to hear.

Joining Andrea for a final bow are his guests, Tony Bennett, Pretty Yende, David Foster, Céline Dion, Bryn Terfel, Nicola Benedetti, and Chris Botti, along with the Westminster Symphonic Choir and the brilliant New York Philharmonic with their conductor, Alan Gilbert.

[ Cheers and applause ] All enjoying the appreciation of more than 50,000 somewhat soggy but very happy music lovers.

What a night this has been, and, in spite of the cold and the rain, I don't think anyone is quite ready to say goodbye, as this crowd definitely wants more.

[ Cheers and applause ] And it looks like they just might get one more memorable moment from Andrea Bocelli.

♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ Nessun dorma ♪ ♪ Nessun dorma ♪ ♪ Tu pure o principessa ♪ ♪ Nella tua fredda stanza ♪ ♪ Guardi le stelle ♪ ♪ Che tremano d'amore ♪ ♪ E di speranza ♪ ♪ Ma il mio mistero e chiuso in me ♪ ♪ Il nome mio nessun sapra ♪ ♪ No, no!

Sulla tua ♪ ♪ Bocca ♪ ♪ Lo diro ♪ ♪ Quando la luce ♪ ♪ Splendera ♪ ♪ Splendera ♪ ♪ Ed il mio bacio ♪ ♪ Sciogliera il silenzio ♪ ♪ Che ti fa mia ♪ -♪ Il nome suo nessun sapra ♪ ♪ E noi dovrem, ahime, morir, morir ♪ -♪ Dilegua, o notte ♪ ♪ Tramontate, stelle ♪ ♪ Tramontate, stelle!

♪ ♪ All'alba vincero ♪ ♪ Vincero!

♪ ♪ Vincero!

♪ ♪ Vincero!

♪ -♪ O sole vita eternita ♪ ♪ Luce del mondo e a more ♪ -♪ Ride e canta ♪ ♪ Nel sole ♪ ♪ L'infinita ♪ ♪ Nostra felicita ♪ ♪ Gloria a te ♪ ♪ Gloria a te!

♪ ♪ Gloria a te!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -"Vincero" -- "I Will Win," and we are all winners tonight having been a part of this magnificent evening, where we've seen a little bit of everything, from a driving rain to a beautiful moonlit night.

And thanks to your public television station, you got to experience it as well.

-That wraps it up from Central Park, but there's much more to come, so please stay tuned to your public television station.

From the Great Lawn in New York's Central Park, I'm Paula Zahn wishing you a very good night.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -Major funding for "Great Performances" is provided by... ...supporting the arts and education... And by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

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