From classical to pop renditions, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has captivated the hearts of music lovers for over a decade. This weekend, Bocelli appears on CNN's chat show Talk Asia. The show airs on 3 July at 8:30 am, 8 pm and on 4 July at 4 pm, 8:30 pm.

He talks to host Lorraine Hahn in an in-depth personal chat about his career and his love for music. “Music is a universal language that speaks directly to the heart, under any sky. And it’s the same thing in any language or culture. Music transcends time and space” Bocelli says.

Since the release of his first album in 1994, Bocelli has sold over 50 million copies worldwide and has gained enormous acclaim internationally. When asked about where his passion for music comes from, he said, “Passion for music, just like passion for painting or the arts in general, is almost a biological thing. It lies in the fibers of our body. I believe that people who love music cannot stop listening to it”.

Bocelli also reveals to CNN that opera is his favourite type of music because it “allows singing to be natural and spontaneous”, adding that the main purpose of music is to bring out emotions. “That’s what I try to do. And emotions, if they are sane, help spiritual growth. They help to turn over our character and our soul.”

In discussing the experience of his recent Asian tour, Bocelli said, “Performing in Asia has been beyond performing at the concert and feeling the public reaction. There is an extraordinary atmosphere in the air because of the differences between our cultures.”