Celine Dion and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli reunited for a powerful live performance of their hit duet “The Prayer” in Central Park, New York. Their combined vocal talent was stunning, as expected from the Queen of Power Ballads and the Italian superstar.
Shortly after Elizabeth Taylor’s passing, Bocelli dedicated the song to her. The chemistry between Dion and Bocelli captivated many music fans, and the video has been viewed 199 million times, making it the second most popular on Bocelli’s YouTube channel.
David Foster, the main songwriter, introduced “The Prayer” on Bocelli’s behalf, joking about Bocelli’s modesty regarding his English. Foster mentioned Taylor’s admiration for Bocelli, dedicating the performance to her memory.
Dion has also performed “The Prayer” with other artists, including a live rendition with Josh Groban in Los Angeles. Dion and Groban re-released the song as a duet in 2008, leading it to re-enter the US and Canadian charts.
Josh Groban’s connection to the song dates back to 1998 when David Foster had the then 17-year-old stand in for an ill Bocelli during rehearsals with Dion for the Grammy Awards. Although Groban impressed, Foster has often praised Bocelli as having “the most beautiful voice in the world.”
Elizabeth Taylor, a long-time fan of Bocelli, frequently attended his concerts, even making rare public appearances despite her health issues. Taylor’s connection to “The Prayer” began with its original release in 1999. She once praised the song to columnist Liz Smith, expressing its worthiness for an Oscar nomination.
While “The Prayer” didn’t win Best Original Song at the Oscars, it did win at the Golden Globes and was nominated at the Academy Awards and Grammy Awards. The Dion and Bocelli duet topped the US Classical chart but didn’t make the Billboard Top 100. However, the Dion and Groban version peaked at #70 on the Top 100.