Andrea Bocelli released this recording of “Tu scendi dalle stelle” for Christmas, 2009. The opera star accompanies himself on piano and displays quite a bit of talent in this piece recorded in his home.
The seasoned tenor has no problem supporting his soaring voice from a seated position. He effortlessly sings through the lyrics, which tell of the birth of Christ:
From starry skies descending,
Thou comest, glorious King,
A manger low Thy bed,
In winter's icy sting;
O my dearest Child most holy,
Shudd'ring, trembling in the cold!
Great God, Thou lovest me!
What suff'ring Thou didst bear,
That I near Thee might be!
“Tu scendi dalle stelle” – “From Starry Skies Thou Comest" – was written in 1732, by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, patron saint of confessors. While it has been arranged many times over the years since St. Alphonsus' death and is commonly sung, it is also associated with the zampogna, or large-format Italian bagpipe.
