World-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli has shared a beautiful version of the 1940s song “Mamma,” in honor of his own mother and a brave decision she made six decades ago.
When doctors advised her to terminate her unborn baby due to their fear he would have a disability, Edi Bocelli refused. The tenor’s gratitude and reverence can be felt in every sweet note of the song.
Born in Tuscany in 1958, Bocelli, now 62, struggled with poor sight from birth. Later diagnosed with congenital glaucoma, he went completely blind at 12 after an accident at a football match.
The award-winning singer said he owes his parents, Edi and his late father, Sandro, “an awful lot,” for molding his character and offering him an education during his life.
“Among the many teachings I received, I would mention the determination not to give up,” he reflected. “This is what my parents showed during my mother’s pregnancy when the doctors advised her to have an abortion, because the baby would be born with severe illnesses.
“She ignored their advice and carried on with my father’s support,” Bocelli said. “Without their courage and faith, I would not be here today to tell the story.”
His own survival story has informed the tenor’s pro-life views, and his desire to encourage any expectant mothers facing uncertainties to have courage.
He narrated the story of a young pregnant woman hospitalized for what the medical staff assumes to be appendicitis. Once the doctors applied some ice on her stomach and when the treatment ended, they suggested that she abort the child as he would be born with a disability. However, the woman didn’t pay heed to the advice and continued with the pregnancy and the child was delivered.
“That woman was my mother, and I was the child,” he revealed. “Maybe I’m partisan,” he added, “but I can say that it was the right choice.”
