Il Divo

[jason]

My mother first told me about Il Divo a few months ago after she had learned of them watching an Oprah (ick) episode. She raved and raved, so I finally took the time to check them out.

The short of it, is that they are a quartet who sings popular songs (old and new) with an entirely new (classical) twist. A worlwide search concluded in 2003 to form the international group. Songs are performed in English, Spanish, and Italian.

My first impression is that it's "different", and I'm trying to understand and enjoy the music, as these guys do have amazing voices, but I'm not necesarily falling for it just yet.

What do you all think about Il Divo?

[Marjorie]

I saw them perform on a couple of talk shows and also at the Capitol Fourth in Washington, D.C. I don't know their names but one stood out as a particularly compelling singer. One was a bit weak for an opera singer. I don't think they hold a candle to The American Tenors. But because of my exposure to The American Tenors, I've developed a love for this type of crossover singing - popular songs sung by operatically trained singers. Il Divo has been getting quite a bit of exposure because of the guy who put them together - Simon Cowell I think it is - one of the judges on American Idol. I'll be interested in seeing how they make out in the music world.

[jason]

Thanks for bringing up The American Tenors. I listened to them for the first time after reading your post. I can't say they do anything for me. It's a little too bland. I'm trying to appreciate the genre a little more, but I'm struggling just a little bit.

My wife is upstairs listening to Josh Groben, and I can't get into that much either, but his voice is indeed majestic.

[mhoarse]

It really bothers me that this even exists, let alone is popular. Why do people want to hear old pop songs (most of which I would much rather have not heard again in my life) sung by half-baked opera singers? What's wrong with a real opera singer singing opera?

I'm just wondering who likes this stuff? Is it opera fans who want something lighter, or pop fans who want to pretend they're cultured??

[jason]

I'm just wondering who likes this stuff? Is it opera fans who want something lighter, or pop fans who want to pretend they're cultured??

I don't think either of those two explanations is fare.

It brings non-fans of opera into the world of opera. I think it's good for the exposure of opera music, to bring it to a whole new group of people who would otherwise never turn an ear to it.

[mhoarse]

It brings non-fans of opera into the world of opera. I think it's good for the exposure of opera music, to bring it to a whole new group of people who would otherwise never turn an ear to it.

The only problem is, 'opera' is not a musical style, it's a musical form, which includes story, drama, theatre, etc... So these people singing Toni Braxton in muppet voices are doing nothing for the world of opera, per se.

[jason]

I disagree. It does a lot to open the ears and minds of many who otherwise would not, myself included. How can you argue with the facts (I'm a walking-talking fact).

[mhoarse]

I disagree. It does a lot to open the ears and minds of many who otherwise would not, myself included. How can you argue with the facts (I'm a walking-talking fact).

I can't. That's why I'm just going to say "huh???"

[Marjorie]

So these people singing Toni Braxton in muppet voices are doing nothing for the world of opera, per se.

Muppet voices?? These are not singers pretending to do opera. They ARE opera singers. Each of The American Tenors have had lead roles in operas produced by well-known opera companies. They've appeared individually and together at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall in NYC, Kodak Theater in LA, Rome, Dublin, Milan & Budapest. Even though they are just starting their careers, they haven't been sitting still in the opera world.

As a fan of The American Tenors, I'm always thrilled when someone like Jason shows an interest in this type of music. I would think that those who love opera would welcome any newcomers who would like to learn more about it, whatever might have sparked their interest. No, I'm not "pretending to be cultured". I just love beautiful music and The American Tenors, with their rich, full voices and the gorgeous orchestral backing of Frank McNamara, provide just that - beautiful music.

Marjorie

[jason]

Excellently stated, Marjorie.

[mhoarse]

Muppet voices?? These are not singers pretending to do opera. They ARE opera singers. Each of The American Tenors have had lead roles in operas produced by well-known opera companies. They've appeared individually and together at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall in NYC, Kodak Theater in LA, Rome, Dublin, Milan & Budapest. Even though they are just starting their careers, they haven't been sitting still in the opera world.

As a fan of The American Tenors, I'm always thrilled when someone like Jason shows an interest in this type of music. I would think that those who love opera would welcome any newcomers who would like to learn more about it, whatever might have sparked their interest. No, I'm not "pretending to be cultured". I just love beautiful music and The American Tenors, with their rich, full voices and the gorgeous orchestral backing of Frank McNamara, provide just that - beautiful music.

Marjorie

Geez... Clearly we're talking about totally different things here. Firstly, I was referring to Il Divo since that's what we're discussing in this topic. I've never heard of the American Tenors, but a quick net search brings up two notable differences between them and Il Divo:

1. They don't look like models - it seems that they are interested in making music and not making posters.
2. I could be wrong but from looking at the tracklisting it looks like they don't cover things like Toni Braxton. Yes, they don't sing all classical music, but most of what they do is at least somewhat worthy i.e. folk songs, etc.

All I was saying in my last post is that opera isn't a *style* of music but rather a *form*. The "muppet voice" thing was just trying to be funny, by the way...

[Marjorie]

I don't mean to be so defensive. It's just that I've tried to talk about The American Tenors and other singers of this type in other groups discussing opera tenors and have gotten blasted for my efforts. From what was said in those groups, true opera lovers find this cross-over blend of opera and pop offensive. Even The Three Tenors were being criticized. Apparently, those I've talked to in the past don't feel that opera singers should sing anything but opera. That's what I thought you were saying, too.

I'm not that familiar with the backgrounds of the individual Il Divo singers. I did hear that three of them are trained in opera and one is a pop singer. The few times I heard them on talk shows, they did sing opera pieces.

What bothered me on those talk shows was that each one, as they raved about Il Divo, acted as though this was a totally new concept and had never been done before! These guys are backed by Simon Cowell and his reputation is definitely going to be a help to them as can be seen from all the exposure they've been getting.

Marjorie

www.frankmcnamara.com

[dianta]

I Have loved opera my entire life .. I think that Il Divo has really hit the mark with there music .They put all there styles into this group and have created a style that is refreshing to have in opera.But that stay true to the opera style.I hope they stay together for many years to come..They bring people to opera who otherwises wouldn't listen to it....