LOS ANGELES, Dec 10, 2011/ FW/ — Last night at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, Andrea Bocelli accompanied by longtime girlfriend Veronica Berti, launched the Andrea Bocelli Foundation.
With Girard-Perregaux, iconic luxury Swiss watch brand, as a partner, with the Andrea Bocelli, the foundation seeks to raise funds and awareness for its efforts to fight poverty around the world and to help people overcome barriers caused by illness, discomfort or disability.
“I feel very strongly about helping people make the most of the world that we live in”, says Andrea Bocelli the world’s highest selling solo artist in the history of classical music,
“I was born with poor eyesight and became completely blind at the age of twelve. Overcoming blindness and dealing with its consequences has taught me about the nature of externally imposed limits, and has encouraged me to think about how to help and support others facing barriers in their lives. I want to help those who face barriers in achieving their life’s potential”, Bocelli explained.
Produced by Studiomusica and Jo Champa, the fundraising gala featured a dinner and performances by Andrea Bocelli himself as well as David Foster, Heather Headley and Anna Maria Martinez and a surprise performance by Michael Bolton.
In addition, Bocelli presented the first foundation award presentation of a Girard-Perregaux World Timer timepiece to iconic music recorder and producer Quincy Jones for his worldwide philanthropic efforts. Andrea Bocelli also wore his own Girard-Perregaux 1966 watch for the evening.
Other celebrities attending included EVAN RACHEL WOOD, CAMILLA BELLE, JULIE BENZ, CHAKA KHAN, LINDA RAMONE, CHRIS SPENCER and others.
The Andrea Bocelli Foundation will be a grant making body, aimed at supporting those living in poverty or overcoming barriers caused by illness and disability in order to deliver tangible real life results. Two types of programs will be supported-those that alleviate poverty and those that help people overcome physical limitations caused by illness. The Foundation will actively seek to identify innovative and original projects to support.
