by Thor Christensen

Andrea Bocelli has boosted the popularity of opera as much as anyone since Pavarotti. Yet the multi-million-selling star of countless PBS pledge drives hasn't totally erased opera's image as the caviar of music: It's ambrosia to some, but a lot of people think it tastes like salty fish.

The Italian tenor says opera's main obstacles are elitism and a lack of effort. "Opera can permeate the listener's heart, but it requires a bit of effort to understand it in the beginning. It's not easy listening music," he says, speaking through a translator from his home in Italy.

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