Andrea Bocelli tour announces four exclusive U.S. dates

World renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli recently announced four exclusive U.S. performances set for late November. The singer, who celebrates his 50th birthday on September 22, will perform two-night engagements in Washington, DC, and San Antonio, TX.

At the Washington National Opera, Bocelli will perform "Petite Messe Solennelle," composed by Giochino Rossini. Operatic tenor and WNO's general conductor Plácido Domingo, who toured with Luciano Pavarotti and José Carreras as The Three Tenors, is scheduled to conduct both performances. A few nights later, Bocelli will take the stage at the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium to sing "Cavalleria Rusticana," conducted by Eugene Kohn.

The special performances coincide with the slated November 11 release of Bocelli's latest album "Incanto." The CD/DVD package features classic Italian love songs along with documentary footage of performances and interviews with Bocelli.

"All these tunes are classics, because they're masterpieces. Pop singers as well as operatic tenors have measured themselves against this repertoire," Bocelli said in a statement. "What I wanted was to make an album of all the songs I remember from my earliest childhood, the music of my roots."

Bocelli is best known for "Con Te Partirò," which is considered his signature song. The single version, "Time to Say Goodbye," features a duet with Sarah Brightman and is partly sung in English. In addition to Brightman, Bocelli has performed with pop diva Céline Dion and former American Idol runner-up Katherine McPhee.

Bocelli debuted in the early 1990s as a solo performer and has gained international acclaim for his brand of classical crossover and operatic pop. The Italian tenor, who was blinded in an accident at the age of 12, has released more than 20 albums, including the recorded operas "La bohème" and "Carmen."

Andrea Bocelli itinerary:
(Dates subject to change.)