Born in the Tuscan farmland of Italy, he was diagnosed with congenital glaucoma and endured dozens of operations until he was completely blinded at age 12 in a soccer game. Undeterred by this physical challenge, he is an avid horseman, has skied with Italian Olympics champ Alberto Tomba, and even goes skydiving. A proud family man, Bocellli earned a legal degree in Pisa and worked for a year as a public defender before embarking on a singing career. With early support from the likes of Luciano Pavarotti and the Italian pop star Zucchero, he didn't have long to wait to ascend to superstardom.

All of Bocelli's life experiences and his refusal to give in to fear are communicated in his voice, which may be one explanation for the singer's astounding success. Whether in pop programs like Sogno and Romanza or classical collections like Aria: The Opera Album -- all of which have sold millions -- the tenor's ardent intensity goes straight to the heart. A resplendent collection of Sacred Arias, featuring melodies by Bach and Schubert, combines vocal refinement with the emotional wallop his admirers have come to expect, and a thrilling album of arias by Giuseppe Verdi shows his mastery in some of the most challenging music ever written for the tenor voice. These recordings are helping Bocelli to realize one of his greatest goals: making new fans for classical music. It's probably safe to presume that La Bohème, his first complete operatic recording, will provide millions of people with their introduction to the art form.

Bocelli's musicianship shines through in everything he sings. And no wonder. In addition to his vocal gifts, he plays the piano, flute, saxophone, and guitar. He's also a vocal connoisseur who is inspired by great singers of the past, like Richard Tucker, Jussi Björling, Titta Ruffo, and Franco Corelli. Still in his 40s, Bocelli is riding high: he's performing operatic roles on stages around the world, working with top singers -- from Celine Dion to Renée Fleming -- and each and every one of his recordings is guaranteed to top the charts.

Yet despite his unprecedented success, Bocelli seems admirably grounded. His mother, Edi, proudly recalls that when her son visited Lourdes a few years ago, he didn't pray to have his sight restored but "for serenity." In these troubled times, is it any wonder that such blessed assurance has touched millions of listeners around the world?