The melody of "Stranger in Paradise" was adapted from the "" in Alexander Borodin's 1890 opera, Prince Igor . In 1953, Robert Wright and George Forrest repurposed the tune for the Broadway musical Kismet .
Decades after his first recording, Bennett teamed up with Andrea Bocelli for a lush, modern rendition produced by and Dae Bennett . Today's Song: "Stranger in Paradise"
Tony Bennett's connection to the song began that same year. During a New York City newspaper strike, Kismet producers asked Bennett to record the track to help promote the show. His 1953 version became a #1 hit in the UK and a top-charting single in the US, cementing the song as a standard in his repertoire. The 2011 Duet: A Global Collaboration
The 2011 duet of "" by Tony Bennett and Andrea Bocelli is a masterclass in vocal synergy, blending American jazz-pop with Italian classical crossover. Featured on Bennett’s 85th-birthday album, Duets II , this version revisits a song that played a pivotal role in Bennett's early career while introducing the operatic power of Bocelli. Historical Background: From Opera to Broadway