Hayley Westenra to sing with Bocelli

Christchurch's singing sensation Hayley Westenra has snared an exclusive hometown concert with internationally-acclaimed tenor Andrea Bocelli.

The one night-only concert is scheduled for September 15 at the Christchurch Events Centre. Tickets go on sale July 6.

Publicity spokeswoman Anna Lovejoy, for Universal Music New Zealand, said Bocelli had heard Westenra sing and thought she had a beautiful voice.

When the blind 45-year-old Italian tenor heard her refer to him as one of her major influences, he decided they should sing together.

"It's a dream come true for Hayley," the spokeswoman said.

Westenra and Bocelli are signed to the same recording label, Decca.

The Christchurch concert will be the only New Zealand performance by the pair, but they will share a stage on tour in Australia.

Westenra has had a string of high profile performances recently. She sang at a memorial for Sir Peter Ustinov in New York, and last November she performed at a private function at Buckingham Palace for the Queen, George W Bush and Tony Blair.

Her first international album Pure is the biggest-selling New Zealand album and debuted at No 2 on the United States Billboard Classical Crossover chart.

Westenra recently secured a $7 million five album contract.

- NZPA