RENOWNED tenor Andrea Bocelli has released a brand-new duet, “Pianissimo,” with internationally-acclaimed mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, ahead of his new album, “Believe,” out Nov. 13.

Written by composer Mauro Malavasi, who has been working with Bocelli for almost 30 years, the song is composed in a minimalistic and elegant style inspired by the French avant-garde composer Erik Satie.

Bocelli explains, “‘Pianissimo’ is an enlightened dialogue between a couple who feels God’s gaze and love move through their romantic relationship. As often found in Malavasi’s compositions, the piano is center stage as it accompanies the singers’ intertwined melodies.” Bartoli adds, “It was wonderful to sing the ‘Pianissimo’ duet with Andrea. It is such a beautiful melody — I really enjoyed it!”

A video, released to accompany the new duet, features Bocelli and Bartoli in the grounds and oval room of the elegant Tenuta Corbinaia in Tuscany. Directed by Riccardo Guarnieri and Luca Scota, the video features stunning overhead shots of the Italian countryside in late summer, perfectly complimenting the duo’s emotive duet.

The forthcoming album, “Believe,” released on Sugar/Decca Records and co-produced by Steven Mercurio and Haydn Bendall, explores the spiritual themes of faith, hope and charity, celebrating the power of music to soothe the soul. It follows Bocelli’s record-breaking “Music for Hope” performance at Easter from the historic Duomo cathedral in Milan which became the largest simultaneous audience for a classical live stream in history with over 28 million views from across the globe in its first 24 hours.

In addition to the collaboration with Bartoli, there is also a duet with Alison Krauss and a new composition from Ennio Morricone, a longtime collaborator of Bocelli’s, titled “Inno sussurato” (“Whispered Hymn”). There are also familiar favorites such as “Hallelujah” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Bocelli has also composed his own settings of “Ave Maria” and “Padre Nostro” specially for this record.

One of the hidden gems on “Believe” is “Fratello Sole Sorella Luna (Dolce è Sentire)” — a song featured in the Franco Zeffirelli film “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” — with music composed by Riz Ortolani. Another delight is “Angele Dei” — a newly-discovered piece by Puccini, arranged by Michael Kaye, which Bocelli premiered in 2019. It was originally written without lyrics, so Bocelli asked for words of a prayer to be added.

Bocelli continues, “The ‘Believe’ tracklist is the result of a spiritual journey that I have been on for the last few years, which has led to constant growth. This new album is the embodiment of a need to lay a new path — modest, incomplete and subjective as it may be — that brings together tracks that speak to the soul.”

With such a powerful message, Bocelli hopes that listeners will take comfort in the music from his new recording, reaffirming the album’s core values of faith, charity and hope.(SD-Agencies)