The lore and legend of opera thrives on the fact that every once in a dozen blue moons a star can be born, rising from nowhere. There are stories about the prima donna who, in a fit of temperament refuses to sing, only to be replaced by the shy young understudy who rockets to stardom. I attended a performance of Simone Boccanegra at the Metropolitan Opera where the soprano, whose name I now forget, but of star quality, was ill, only to be replaced by Aprile Millo, who blew away the critics with her exquisite performance of Amelia. My mother still tells the story of the evening she finally made it to the Met to see her favorite Robert Merrill only to discover he was being replaced by a young baritone no one had heard of, Sherrill Milnes. Such a moment occurred a few weeks ago when a very shy, insecure Welsh tenor appeared out of nowhere and has set the opera world, and perhaps the pop music world on fire.
Paul Potts’ tale could become one of opera’s great Cinderella or Cinderfella stories. Only time will tell. Unlike other opera singers who are struggling for an audience, he comes complete with a ready made one, hanging on to his every note. People who have never heard a note of opera before are tuning in to listen to him. Sometimes dreams do come true. Sometimes dreams come true for people who truly deserve to have them come true.
I first heard about Paul Potts, the soulfully sad Welsh tenor last week, when the blog buzz was just getting started. When I first heard the 36 year old man with the basset hound eyes, the suit that cost thirty-five pounds, and his world-weary appearance, I was in tears. He nailed Puccini’s Nessun Dorma like a pro.
As you watch the critique of the tenor who still works at Carphone Warehouse, watch the look of disbelief on his face. You realize this is a man who is trying one last rash stunt, appearing on Britain’s Got Talent. If he lost, he was planning to quit and throw away the small fortune he spent on voice lessons. Instead, for once, fortune smiled on the man who is afraid to smile because he is so self-conscious of his very crooked teeth.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Andrew Abshier
Wonderful writeup! I didn't know about Paul Potts until someone posted the audition video on another blog. My jaw absolutely hit the floor when he sang that first phrase of Nessun Dorma and it has pretty much been on the floor since then!
It is a great thing when the little guys, and the good guys, grasp that shining moment. I hope this is just the beginning of greater things for him.
Andy (who's played in an orchestra pit, and has heard a few singers in my day)
2 - GoingLikeSixty
Suitable for a Sinister cabal of superior writers: Paul Potts Profiles Pataritida Pacharawirapong
3 - Skrooks
Brilliant piece of writing and analysis....I was trying to find out about Paul and your blog was everything I needed - all in one place! Thanks!
4 - Dave
I am not a fan of opera nor Britain, but after seeing a clip on Brit Hume's show on Fox, I watched Paul Pott's performance on YouTube. I, too, found myself in tears (not knowing why). You blog has nailed it. Pott's "world weary" face told a heart-breaking story and made his performance so uplifting. Thanks.
5 - Operarooster
Paul Potts may become the next "Harry Potter" of the Opera World. His voice offers us a refreshing innocence to our ears! Tenors are extremely rare and Paul Potts is certainly one of the rarest----he sings without pretense or
entitlement!
6 - Doug Kerr Toronto canada
My 17 yr old son and I watched the Paul Potts video...me in tears and my son with goosebumps. What a wonderful story and thanks for the update on his life and progress. We'll be waiting to buy our first opera CD as soon as it is ready!!! Thanks for the blog spot Cheers Doug Kerr
7 - Doug Kerr Toronto canada
My 17 yr old son and I watched the Paul Potts video...me in tears and my son with goosebumps. What a wonderful story and thanks for the update on his life and progress. We'll be waiting to buy our first opera CD as soon as it is ready!!! Thanks for the blog spot Cheers Doug Kerr
8 - Don Bernard
Wow! I played the tube video at least 10 times, Stirring. Moving. Emotional. Takes a lot to impress Simon, and impress Paul did. Can't wait for the album. BRAVO.
9 - SSH
Paul Potts and Simon Cowell: Singing hyped emotion? H-umm?
As we reflect on Paul Potts, the newly discovered winner of “Britain's Got Talent” [ BGT ] and his beautiful voice, we naturally reflect on our own values and life accomplishments. What gifts has God given us? If we work hard, can the sun warmly shine on our faces? I cried and replayed videos several times to take in emotions of not only singer, but also judges, and audience. But my wonder had a gnawing knowing that did fit neatly into the ‘underdog to top performer’ story I heard in his storyline.
World wide delight and emotions from seeing Paul fully approved; perhaps after being de-valued for years, came as much for his humble slightly tousled persona in the show, and as much for his ardent operatic singing. But, a charade that falsely elicits my true emotions seems a scam, especially if greedy.
I heard the story on video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA - from the opening set-up, “… the world of show biz seems a million miles away. Its Paul, a mobile phone salesman from South Wales.”. At 3.51 on the clip, Simon Cowell said, “I like shows where somebody isn’t a professional, has talent, isn’t aware of it, has a normal job, and then you see something else.”
On the clip, Paul talked about his dream and how he had lacked confidence. Yes, we identify and all desire encouragement. He sang. Magic. But, as Simon said, “… then you see something else.”, and like he said: I saw a former £8,000 prize [ about $16,000 U.S., now ] for Paul Potts from Michael Barrymore’s TV talent show, and extended tutelage from operatic masters in Italy, four amateur opera productions, a concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and plans for a summer tour with them.
Obvious. Amateur talent needs training and experience. That is worthy. But my emotions are dialed into a guy who said his dream is to do what he feels he was born to do, and his feelings had always lacked confidence! Experience and prize money is confidence building. He had plenty since his birth and early identity. I saw a fellow who wore a humble jacket at the semi-finals, sans a tuxedo he knows well in opera, yet spiffed at the finals. But it is the voice! No. It is also the person’s words, too.
It is implied that people did not previously value his talent: an unknown without promotions. On the British TV interview after Paul won BGT, he was clear, “You know, I’ve not taken up promotions before because people wanted me to change who I was, and I’m determined to be true to myself, because at the end of the day ….”, http://www.myspace.com/paul_potts - June 17 video, set 1.30. They wanted his talent, and he chose not? Okay, he can negotiate! But, that seems strong-minded; and very confident! He refused pro-motions. We got e-motions: shy bullied kid; his best friend was his voice.
Paul went to New York to field NBC’s basic questions: “… and I know that you haven’t had formal training, so how did you learn to sing like this?”. He ignored their wrong assumption and said, “Umm, I’ve just always sung - just always sung. My voice has always been my best friend.”, June 21 video at 2.53; same site. As Simon said, “has talent, isn’t aware of it ….”. What worth to him are the masters who gave him lessons, on which he spent most of the £8,000 prize money? … and singers with whom he traveled the stage on the Italian operatic circuit, and London’s experiences? If humility means to be unassuming and common with other people, like its root ‘humus’, then earthy and unpretentious people do not cover their history of help from other people. Rather, Paul gives us wrong assumptions.
Critics comment that for operatic singers, Paul is okay; not extraordinary. I like his voice. It is good and memorable! But, what is extraordinary are the hyped emoted feelings. Some people might say, “that is how the show world sells!” No! Not here! Not with true emotions of people around the world, teary eyed for the underdog; not in this case of contestants’ climbing the ranks on rungs of public votes: and the public paying to vote by telephone. Purity of spirit should remain pure, not a sham that brings a shame to hope and faith in Horatio Alger type humanity; at public expense. I enjoy world-class music, but not world-class charades and emoted stories for profit! What is the Paul and Simon story?
British Simon Cowell spent 2 years forming “Four Tenors” or “Il Divo”, a popularized package of the operatic world, similar to the Three Singing Tenors. Producers package talent. He knows that world. He knows that both talent and emotion sell. Did he tweak our emotions through set-up stories to launch a Paul Potts’ premier CD; with Simon producing more mogul money? I like true emotions, meaning full; not half-full false ‘unknown underdog’ ‘discovered’. That half-full leaves me half-empty.
A contestant background video showed Paul in what appeared to be lush South Wales seaside, looking like a CD cover. If BGT showcases this 36 year old mature amateur singer, then perhaps the last drop of bloody money can be wrung from innocence. Not his innocence. Ours. Simon Cowell’s announcement at the final show that Paul Potts would be recording an album the next week was lucid business-linkage to the world. But to link our common emotions for hope in challenges, and our faith in people and love of life: to a ‘confident’ ‘hold-out promotion’ person who did not disclose his full story, is miserly manipulation. A contestant who approaches their stage will be known: by producers: and in advance. They want to uncover upsetting persons, especially when the prize is the doorway to a further contract! They want lead-in pieces about a contestant’s character and history! I want a good spirit that is fair to the closing of Nessun dorma!: Vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!, I shall win! I shall win! I shall win!
If we act fairly, work hard and have talent, then hopefully we are rewarded. But, an ‘underdog’ ‘without confidence’ is hyped and yanks at more money. His ‘unknown’ is really sans full disclosure.
If Paul Potts fairly wins a competition to get a contract, then great! The Paul Potts NBC interview ended with a transition piece, to NBC’s next show segment. Its topic was ironically poignant: “Greed in America: why some people will do anything in search of easy money.”. Emotion was hyped, then E-motioned by U-tube. We cried. Why? Good voice, and hyped! Perhaps disclosures of Paul and Simon were not as lyrically full as some New York city namesakes, but they might have much in common with another June 21 item from MSNBC: “Martha Stewart on grilled chicken done right” at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19054369/ . Someone, turn up the heat to grill them about “disclosure”, in this case! The sound of money echoes in my deeply emoted feelings, and charades are shallow sales.
10 - Siegggy
Last week my 8 girlfriends and I met in Whistler,BC at the Limoges Inn to spent some time togehter and to celebrate our baby's 50th Birthday. Maggie introduced us to Paul Potts, none of us had heard anything about, and we listened to him on my Macbook...when we first saw him and Maggie proclaimed, isn't he cute, Janet's response was, no! Then we heard him sing and he brought me to tears. The clarity of his astonishing voice blew me away when he hit the high notes. I was an instant fan and my husband and I have been watching him daily on youtube since and cannot wait to get Paul Potts first CD.
11 - Mark Hutcherson
Paul has an amazing talent. Someone said in a movie once that people either love Opera or hate it. Until I heard Paul Potts sing on Youtube I had never experienced the power of Opera music. I now have experienced it and I now proudly join others who love Opera music.
12 - beachroses
SSH has been pouring on every blog she or he can find in an effort to destroy this man's image. Talk about devious motives....
To set the record straight, this is Paul's story from an article you might enjoy reading the rest of. He never said he was an idiot, he said he was insecure and down on his luck. Perfect target for an abuser, I suppose. He also is not considered a "professional" where I come from, because he was never paid to perform. Taking lessons is usually standard for any amateur, so I don't see that as a problem, no matter who the teacher is.
"He joined Bath Opera and performed four roles as an amateur. He had singing lessons when he could afford it and spent all his savings - around £12,000, including £8,000 he won answering music questions on Michael Barrymore's My Kind Of Music - on opera singing courses in Italy. This has led to accusations that Paul is a "trained" performer, tutored by Pavarotti himself.
"Everyone in Britain's Got Talent had had some kind of training, including the kids. You don't just walk out on stage and produce something out of nowhere, Paul explains. "If I were a trained opera singer, I'd have three years in a conservatoire behind me - and I haven't. I spent three months studying in Italy in 2000 and six weeks in 2001 and I had to work 13-hour days for months to save enough money to go. I've never been paid for singing.
"I have sung for Pavarotti in Italy when he came to hold a master-class, but he would be the first to admit he's no teacher. He didn't give instructions or make suggestions or even pass comment. I sang an aria by Rodolfo from La Boheme and ran out of breath and Pavarotti said, 'Rodolfo wouldn't run out of breath - you'd better sing me something else'.
"I was the only one he asked to sing again so I took it as a great compliment. But again, he didn't say anything about my performance. Someone else who was watching him told me his body language indicated he'd liked it. But I had auditioned to be allowed to sing for him in the first place."
13 - 0
Potts is SHITE.
You feel goosebumps because it is DISGUSTING.
BGT just picked up a most strange one to be the winner.
14 - Mark
I am so VERY tired of all the people that want to attack Paul Potts for his background, his talent which hasn't fully blossomed yet, and whether or not he should be considered an amateur. As Clark said so well "frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." The mans singing sends chills down my spine. His rendition of "Time To Say Goodbye" does something that Bocelli or Brightman NEVER did, it makes me cry. You're going to poo poo him and/or deny him the success his voice deserves? GET A LIFE, Paul just got his.
15 - John and Trish
The Dude rocks!!!
16 - Tim
Critics be damned. I'm a 30 year old from the USA, I've never cared for opera and never thought I would. I normally listen to genres of music that are infinitely different from opera: death metal, grindcore, hardcore... I found Paul's audition video on youtube and it only took him about 5 seconds to make me start crying. His singing is deeply moving, a beautiful experience. Picture me, a bearded, tattooed, heavy metal tough guy crying to opera... I'm an instant Paul Potts fan and now very interested in opera. The critics and naysayers can flap their lips, but don't underestimate Paul's ability to connect with people like me, people who would probably never have been interested in opera. I like Paul's singing for the same reason I like all the other music I listen to: a passion that isn't contrived and a power that is earth shattering.
17 - Francisco From Chile
Right now the world is full of singers, everyone tries to show his talent in different ways, maybe some of them dreess up with strange customs, hats, rings, piercing, trying to be different, but Paul Potts is a common man, with old shoes and very cheap clothes, but the diference between Paul and all the "talents" is that he is a common man with a extraordinary voice. Opera for me has always been music, music that it´s always set in the doctors office, in some schools, but never in the radio at the time of the news, or sports , Opera is music for higher moments, not for every day, but with this man you can realize that even a crowd can be in extasis, people that went to see a new pop singer, was finally in love we a fat man that was singing something in italian, they didn´t know what he was saying, but they love it. I really don´t like Opera , but the music that crisp my skin, is somethng that makes me stop and take a look, because Paul gives us the opportunity to discover that music has the power to make us believe in us, show us to the world, and realize that every man has something to show, even if you are not a good looking man. Thank you Paul, you make my day different today.
From Chile , Francisco
18 - Kurt Wagn Hansen
Dearest Paul Potts.
A great Congratulation from me Kurt and my wife Kirsten living in Copenhagen, Denmark. You brought us to tears, when we saw you and heard you sing Nessum Dorma in danish TV - fantastic. Also the TV-hosts were very touched, had tears in their eyes. The same with our neigbours and friends. You have really touched our hearts. Thank you, Paul. We hope for a happy future for you, your wife and family. We wait for your album. Let it be soon.
Love from
Kirsten and Kurt Wagn Hansen
[Personal contact info deleted]
19 - Edward Sandalls
What a superb piece of writing, strong on both the subjective and the objective.
All the faith that has been put in Paul is steadily coming round to be rewarded. He is singing better and better, and his voice is showing more of its distinctive nature and high quality.
He is Paul Potts, and that looks like staying that way. No other tenor I can think of would have ended an interview with Richard and Judy in a flurry of giggles. Then, as he went off to sing, he turned, gave a teeny bow and thanked them. He has no idea how good he is; Richard and Judy should have been on their knees thanking him.
Just one tenor giggled a lot: Sir Harry Secombe, aka one of The Goons. Not the same class as Paul, but the same huge heart, and the same determination to be himself. And, of course, Sir Harry really was a Welshman.
Only kidding, only kidding!!! Paul holds a British passport, but he is a citizen of The World.
20 - Lee
Paul not only has a winning,emotive voice,but a personality that puts people at ease. There are too many celebrities w/ minimal talent & an arrogant,self centered,entitled attitude. The media is flooded w/ their problems,stupid comments,extravagant expenditures. It's a relief to finally have someone held up to public view that's humble,practical - even frugal!,grateful, ethical and extraordinarily talented; in other words,someone deserving of fame & fortune,for a change! Let's have more "ordinary" folks in the news who appreciate a chance to share their gifts w/ the world.