A few years ago, I fell in love with the song “Dare To Live,” performed by Andrea Bocelli and Laura Pausini at the tenor’s concert at Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico, a region of Tuscany, Italy in July 2007.
A few things struck me about this performance and the story behind it. (video below)
For one, Teatro del Silenzio (Theatre of Silence), the location of the performance, is an Italian open air amphitheatre, built with funds mostly by Andrea himself.
The venue hosts a concert by Mr. Bocelli, the honorary president, one day in July. The balance of the year, the hillside is silent.
Andrea’s love for his hometown, music, and the environment is undeniable.
Second, although it’s Bocelli’s event, he puts the gracious and gawjuss Pausini at the center of attention.
He proudly awaits downstage, smiling, holding the space for her to stroll, catlike, with violins in the background, as she makes a grand entrance in her silky, flowing, tiger striped dress.
Then again, at the two minute mark, the Italian tenor surprises the pop star from Emilia-Romagna Italy, by going down on one knee, keeping Pausini in the limelight.
Notice how Laura touches her heart? She’s awestruck, swimming in a wave of emotion as Andrea, blind since the age of 12, sings to her as if she’s the only one in the Theatre of Silence.
Mr. Bocelli is demonstrating one of the five practices of exemplary leadership: Encourage the Heart.
Great leaders understand, to accomplish extraordinary things takes a concerted effort from a group of people, not just a star of one.
The masterful leader gives everyone else on the playbill the standing O while inconspicuously standing tall, applauding with exuberance in the wings.
Sounds easy enough, not easy to do.
The last observation I have about the song are the lyrics:
Dare to live until the very last
Dare to live forget about the past
What part of your life is on hold?
What did you say you’d do last week? Last month? Last year? For some reason, that -to do- is still on the shelf collecting dust.
Perhaps you’re a master of procrastination?
Enough is enough.
I’m issuing you a challenge. Yup, I’m daring you. Check that. I’m double dog daring you to dare to live.
Dare to:
- take that trip
- start that business
- take those piano lessons
- make that call
- dance
- laugh
- be a thoughtful leader
- be silly
- cry
- get focused on your business
- say thank you
- give to a good cause
- have that difficult conversation
- step to the edge
- love
- give them a hug
- give without reciprocity in mind
- act goofy
- stop living the lie
- discover a career that lights you up!
- dive into wellness
“Be daring, be different, be impractical;
be anything that will assert integrity
of purpose and imaginative vision
against the play-it-safers.”
― Cecil Beaton
Vivere!
Photo courtesy of Brett Jordan.
Beautiful. Encouraging the heart is one of the most important things leaders to do. Inspiring video, thanks for sharing.
Hi Steve,
I think the greatest dare we can undertake is daring ourselves to be excellent. No need to compete with others, only to better ourselves. I wrote about the same topic last year. The dare I like best on your list is dare to love, as BE LOVE TO OTHERS is my motto.
Kind Regards,
Bill
Thanks Bill for your comments.
Interesting you say that. I was speaking with a friend recently who in so many words, said the same thing.
Being in the mindset of constantly stretching ourselves even if it’s only an inch.
Good stuff.
p.s. Love your motto.
You’re very welcome Steve. I’m sending you some love on Twitter in the next hour. @wiarbu @BeLoveToOthers
All the best!
Bill
Can’t get enough love.
Thanks!
How did you find my blog?
What a beautiful song Steve and Andrea has one of the best voices ever and let’s not forget how handsome he is too.
I love your message here to dare us to be the best we can be really. I guess I don’t do enough of that myself although I feel in my heart that I’m headed in the right direction. Maybe I need to dare myself more!
Thanks for the encouragement and enjoy your week.
~Adrienne
Wow Adrienne, you seem like someone that would dare herself more.
Appreciate your comment.