The young choristers from the Andrea Bocelli Foundation’s program were among the special guests of two highly anticipated concerts held at the Amphitheater of the Ruins.
Sharing the stage with them were Serena Autieri and a host of acclaimed artists, including sopranos Clara Barbier Serrano and Laura Mekhail, both recipients of the prestigious Andrea Bocelli Foundation – Community Jameel Scholarship.
Pompeii, June 27–28 – In the breathtaking setting of the Amphitheater of the Pompeii Ruins, the choirs ABF Voices of Italy – Camerino and ABF Voices of Italy – Naples took the stage with Maestro Andrea Bocelli as part of two highly anticipated concerts. These performances featured 60 young choristers from the global “ABF Voices of” program, who delivered powerful messages of hope, beauty, and rebirth through music.
The two choral ensembles, comprising a total of 60 young singers, performed alongside Maestro Bocelli the pieces “Mamma” and “Sorridi Amore Vai”, joined on stage by ABF Advocate Serena Autieri.
The global “ABF Voices of” program was created to support the personal growth and empowerment of young people, using music as an educational and transformative tool in contexts of vulnerability and social marginalization, both in Italy and abroad.
The program is active in Camerino, in Naples’ Rione Sanità in partnership with the San Gennaro Community Foundation, as well as in the Holy Land, Haiti, and Uganda—regions deeply affected by tension, instability, conflict, natural disasters, or profound social challenges.
In these places, music assumes an even greater significance: it becomes a universal language that bridges cultures and unites individuals. It is an act of resistance and resilience that inspires hope, encourages dialogue, and restores a sense of shared humanity—an affirmation of the right to childhood and joy in environments where everything seems to call for resignation.
Beyond its musical dimension, the program also focuses on developing cross-cutting skills, particularly socio-emotional competencies, by engaging young people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. This allows them to grow into conscious, compassionate citizens, nurturing a curious and open outlook on the world.
“ABF Voices Of” is a space where music becomes a shared experience—a place where each child can discover their own value and that of others, contributing to a broader change that resonates throughout the entire community.
“The Pompeii concerts represented a moment of profound artistic and emotional significance for the young choristers, who experienced a formative and transformative journey alongside the Foundation’s founder.
Performing in a symbolic setting like Pompeii is not only thrilling but also deeply educational: it means rediscovering beauty as a collective value and music as a universal language capable of breathing new life into both places and memories.
The program invites us to reflect on the role of art in society, showing younger generations that talent alone is not enough—it is daily commitment and a sense of responsibility that make art truly transformative.”
— Laura Biancalani, CEO, Andrea Bocelli Foundation
“The joy of doing! Making music together, building friendships, creating culture, and celebrating life with joy and wonder.
Music teaches us this too: the value of the journey, the value of time, because when time is spent learning, it is never time wasted.
Our outstanding young choristers from the ‘ABF Voices Of’ program rehearsed diligently before stepping on stage, immersing themselves in the beauty of art while also developing self-esteem, responsibility, emotional awareness, and dedication—sharing an experience that was playful, artistic, and socially powerful all at once.
From Naples and Camerino, the choirs came together in harmony, joined by the silvery voice of a modern-day angel, ABF advocate Serena Autieri. Every one of them became part of a musical celebration of life itself.”
— Andrea Bocelli
The ABF Voices of program follows the school calendar (September to June) and is structured around weekly activities, periodic retreats, and international gatherings. Its educational approach is rooted in the group dynamic, which becomes a space for both musical and relational growth and experimentation.
The program uses a range of tools, including a shared repertoire—80% of which is standard across all choirs worldwide, and 20% composed of locally selected pieces. This structure encourages both unified training and cultural exchange. In addition, the program implements a dedicated educational toolkit and psycho-pedagogical monitoring instruments to assess the impact on participants’ skills and overall well-being, working in close synergy with educators, musicians, and psychologists. Weekly rehearsals serve not only as moments of musical practice but also as educational opportunities where children and youth develop listening skills, cooperation, trust, and self-awareness. Group retreats, held twice a year, strengthen the sense of community and the harmony that lies at the heart of the choral experience.
Every two years, choirs from around the world come together for Global Gatherings—opportunities to share music, culture, and human connection. These meetings allow choristers to rehearse common repertoire and perform together, while also immersing themselves in diverse cultures through shared experiences and music.
The next Global Gathering is scheduled for 2026, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation—a joyful celebration where the young choristers will take center stage, honoring music as a tool for growth, inclusion, and the building of lasting bonds, a force capable of uniting people and communities beyond all borders.
Also sharing the stage with the Maestro were two young opera singers, Clara Barbier Serrano and Laura Mekhail, recipients of the prestigious scholarship established by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation in partnership with Community Jameel. This scholarship is designed to support emerging talent in the world of music, offering access to the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London and helping shape their international careers. This initiative reflects the shared commitment of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and Community Jameel to investing in the next generation of artists and empowering them to fully realize their potential.
