Us Weekly’s Backstage Pass: Andrea Bocelli Reveals Which Instrument He Plays Before Every Show (Exclusive)

Andrea Bocelli hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down in his music career — and one particular trick of his has kept his voice in tip-top condition.

“I often play the flute, my trusted companion on every trip I take,” the tenor, 66, exclusively reveals in the latest issue of Us Weekly about the must-have item in his dressing room. “It’s an instrument I enjoy for my own pleasure, but it also helps activate the vocal tract and exercise the diaphragm without exerting the vocal cords.”

Bocelli got his start performing in piano bars. He rose to fame in 1994 after winning in the newcomers’ category at the 44th Sanremo Music Festival. Since then, Bocelli has recorded 17 studio albums and five collaborative albums. He’s sold more than 80 million records worldwide and received six Grammy nominations.

While Bocelli has an extensive music catalog, the classical singer admits that there’s one song of his that is extra special to him.

“‘Time to Say Goodbye,’ which has become a world classic in its own right,” he tells Us of his 1996 duet with Sarah Brightman. “It’s meant a great deal to me, and I never tire of singing it.”

Bocelli’s passion for performing comes through as he continues to tour across the globe. The musician has been to destinations all over the world from the United States to his home country of Italy. As he’s traveled, Bocelli has connected with fans who have gifted him some sentimental mementos over the years.

“A statue of the patron [saint] of Brazil, given to me during an emotional moment of music and prayer at the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida,” Bocelli says of the best gift he’s received from a fan. “I hold it dear.”

Earlier this year, Bocelli celebrated three decades of performing. He cemented the milestone by returning to his roots to put on three concerts at the Teatro del Silenzio (Theater of Silence) in Tuscany, Italy. In addition to Bocelli performing for 30,000 die-hard fans — which included Kim and Khloé Kardashian — he was joined on stage by several star-studded guests.

“The Teatro del Silenzio concert, held in my Tuscany hometown [Lajatico] in the summer. It was a memorable [30th anniversary] event,” Bocelli reflects on the standout performance. “Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Lang Lang, Ed Sheeran, Shania Twain and others celebrated with me.”

If you didn’t get the chance to catch Bocelli live in Italy, it’s not too late. A film version of the show, titled Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration premiered in theaters on Friday, November 8.

For more on Bocelli, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.