Have a Bocchicchio Christmas

Kirkland teenage singing sensation Marco Bocchicchio is busy promoting his Christmas CD now on sale exclusively at Quebec Wal-Mart stores.

Bocchicchio, 13, first received public attention for his singing talents last year after appearing on the TV series La Cour des Grands, where he worked with entertainer Gregory Charles, who has since become his mentor.

“I really got a career boost from doing the TV show,” Bocchicchio said.

The Grade 8 Beaconsfield High School student worked with producer Peter Ranallo on the CD, which features songs in five languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish and Latin. “I don’t speak all the languages (I sing),” Bocchicchio acknowledged, “but I understand them a little.”

Among the tunes Bocchicchio interprets are Bryan Adam’s Something About Christmas Time and José Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad as well as standards such as Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Ave Maria. There is also the Italian classic Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle, which also features l’Orchestre Symphonique des Jeunes de la Montérégie.

“I picked songs I like to sing and songs I knew when I was small,” he said.

Recording his debut CD helped Bocchicchio realize one of his musical dreams. The other is to meet Celine Dion. “Hopefully, that’ll happen soon,” he said of meeting his idol.

The Christmas CD was recorded in August, with Bocchicchio wearing shorts to the sessions, said his father, Archie Bocchicchio.

The elder Bocchicchio said they have received only positive feedback since the CD was launched last month.

“Everyone can warm up around a Christmas showcase sung in five languages,” he said.