Personnel: Fausto Mesolella (classical guitar); Maurizio Sansone (keyboards); Paolo Costa (bass guitar); Gianluca Mirra, Lele Melotti (drums); Emidio Ausiello (percussion); Luigi Lombardi D'Aquino, Felice Pitolo, Swiss Italian Radio Choir, Verdi Grand Symphonic Orchestra Milan, Steven Mercurio.

Recording information: Splash Studios, Naples, Italy.

The most popular crossover opera singer of the present day, Andrea Bocelli mesmerizes both classical and pop audiences without compromising his artistic integrity, although on this best-selling 2008 release the Tuscan tenor leans on chestnuts from the Sicilian and Neapolitan canon. Familiar folk songs like "Funiculi, Funicula" and the gorgeous "Santa Lucia" (made famous by Enrico Caruso and, later, Elvis) come to thrilling life here, although the standout may be a joyful rendition of Bruno Cherubini's "Mamma" that will have listeners reaching for the Kleenex.