Time to say hello to Italian tenor Bocelli

WORLD-RENOWNED Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform a major outdoor concert on an historic army square in Cork this summer, it was confirmed yesterday after months of speculation.

The Georgian buildings surrounding Collins Barracks’ four-acre square, one of Europe’s largest military squares, will be transformed to resemble an arena in Verona for the July 15 seated concert.

Ten thousand tickets, ranging in price from €55 to €155, will go on sale at 9am next Monday.

Promoter Jim Aiken defended the prices.

“All 10,000 tickets are for the public. There is a higher proportion of lower-price tickets for this concert than for any other Bocelli concert,” he said.

Details of the event were announced by Cork’s Lord Mayor Seán Martin at City Hall yesterday.

The concert was the dream of Val O’Connor, a director of Opera 2005, and his son, Finbarr.

Their family has run an undertaking business in the city since 1887.

“We wondered how we would contribute to 2005. It took a lot of hard work, nine months of negotiations but this will be the jewel in the crown of the city’s year as Capital of Culture,” Mr O’Connor said.

Organised in association with Aiken Promotions, but separate from the Cork 2005 company, the event is supported by Thomas Crosbie Holdings (TCH), owners of the Irish Examiner, The Sunday Business Post and numerous regional titles.

“We are proud to be supporting this concert. We are certain it will prove to be the major event in 2005,” said TCH managing director Anthony Dinan.

Certain city council car parks will be free on the night of the concert and a park and ride service will operate from the city to ferry concert goers to the venue.

Aiken Promotions’ Gar Houlihan, whose grandparents lived in the Old Youghal Road area, said residents will be consulted over the coming weeks about arrangements.

Bocelli does not like to perform in football stadia.

He prefers spectacular and unique settings.

In 2000, he performed at the Statue of Liberty.

In June, he will be performing in Moscow’s Red Square and at Hampton Court Castle in England.

He has previously performed for US President George W Bush and the British Queen.

Tickets go on sale at 9am next Monday from usual outlets nationwide.

You can also log on to www.aikenpromotions.com.