Andrea Bocelli helps Ariana Grande top US classical chart

Pop starlet Ariana Grande has reached the No.1 spot in the US Billboard Classical Digital Songs chart* – thanks to the success of her duet with legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli.

They team up on the song 'E Piu Ti Penso' (from the film 'Once Upon A Time in America'/'Malena') on Bocelli's new album, Cinema, which is released on Decca on 23 October and celebrates the greatest movie songs of all time.

"To have a record with Andrea is just so surreal and so special, and something that I never thought would happen," Grande says.

Bocelli says: "It was funny when we first met because she came over to my place in Miami to rehearse the song. My son Matteo was not aware of what was going on and came back home to find himself face to face with his idol. He was speechless with amazement! It was great working with her because it gave me a further opportunity to appreciate her professional approach and musical skill. She's still in her early twenties, yet she's already a great star, and no wonder!"

Cinema includes epic theme songs featured in films such as 'Gladiator', 'The Godfather', 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and many more, as well as popular songs from stage musicals, immortalised by their film versions, such as 'West Side Story' and 'Evita' – featuring a duet with Nicole Scherzinger on the epic musical anthem 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'.

In addition to having sold over 80 million records, Bocelli has performed for four US presidents, two Popes and the Royal family, as well as at ceremonies for the Olympic Games and the World Cup.