Claiming that the voice is an instrument that must be preserved, the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli He explained to his audience the cancellation of two concerts in the United States. The first was last Wednesday in Boston at the TD Garden, when people were already sitting in the seats.

Something similar happened in Philadelphia on Thursday. The singer informed the audience that he would not be able to perform the show and that a new date would be announced soon. Pictures of Bocelli played the piano while his 11-year-old daughter, Virginia, took the microphone.

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And this forced the singer to publish a statement about his health problems, which some received with concern and others with frustration for not having been warned earlier, citing hotel stays and travel expenses.

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The 65-year-old artist told the audience that he tried his best to sing both nights, but it was impossible. His wife Verónica Berti came out to read a letter thanking him on behalf of the family and apologizing for informing him so late. “On the advice of the medical team, he will not be able to appear”, said. He assured that the last thing Bocelli wanted was to disappoint his fans.

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Verónica said this, visibly upset until a few seconds before Showthe singer had been under medical care, and then he made the decision to have him go on stage wearing a sweater and sneakers. They both bowed to the audience.

Bocelli took the microphone and said that he was very sad, but that he could not sing.

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In a written statement, he added that for him the voice is an instrument and a gift, and that he has always considered it his duty to share it with those who will listen. For that reason, he continues to travel and sing and care for her “with the precision of an athlete.”

He reiterated his respect for the audience and his appreciation for the team that accompanies him at concerts. “It rarely happens,” he said of cancellations, “and in the 30 years I’ve been in business I can count them on one hand. And yet this time it happened and I have to accept it.”

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Bocelli’s next show is scheduled for Saturday, December 9 at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. This one still stands. He was scheduled to perform in Baltimore on Sunday, plus two shows in New York and two in Hollywood, Florida, respectively, next week.