A lot of what passes for "popera" lacks balls. Not so with Il Divo.
If "popera," the fusion of pop music imagery, attitude, and marketing with operatic vocalism (even the pop-arranging of opera and classical music) must exist, then thank God Simon Cowell, of American Idol fame, finally stepped into the picture.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - sally charpie
fresh and very handsome guys i could not stop looking your photos .. your voice is soothing.. a pefect combination of voices from different country which makes the world go round of unity..an avid fans from Philippines!
27 - Jade
I saw il divo live on sunday and all i can say is that they are breathless. they look even better in real life and urs is just.............
their harmonies were perfect and girls were killing themselves to touch them.im definately going for their concert in feb. go il divo!!!!
28 - pam
BIG THANKS TO SIMON COWELL!!!
Viva Il Divo...love you guys. Can't wait for the next CD. Can't last a day without listening to your song. Keep up the good work.
pam
29 - Donna
Does anyone know what song they sang on the Young & Restless?
30 - Bessie
I´m from Mexico City and i traveled to Buenos Aires last july where in all stores there were Il Divo cd's. then i bought my CD and i love it.
They have a special voice and together sings sounds very very good.
I would like Il Divo include in the tour a presentation in México or in USA to listen a concert.
31 - alanna
i love you simon phillip......
32 - Derek
On the subject of personal attacks - you cannot tell me that it is not wrong to say how bigoted and old fashioned one particular person is who says that they need to lose weight. They are all healthy MEN (not teenie/tweenie-boppers like Simon Cowell is used to) who sing brilliantly. The only gripe I have of the album is Carlos' overpowering voice does just that - over powers the rest of them and makes it hard to hear the other's voices (especially Urs). And to compare Clay Aitkin to Il Divo is like water to wine - I actually find Clay's voice offensive as it is too loud and he is unable to sing anything subtly. If you want to know the true meaning of control it is being able to sing in a high register without singing loudly (again why Carlos often drowns the others out - being the lowest it the group you have to give him credit for putting the most effort into the high notes).
Best example of what Clay Aitkin can not do: Seb starts Regresa A Mi gently, yet only really takes those high notes home as he sings the highest solo notes in his solo (the 3rd one) on Passera. Amazing.
Please do not compare these guys to anything that comes out of any Idol show as none of these performers can compete. They sing totally different genres of music anyway. And some of the best singers in the world are 'larger than life' too.
33 - Susan
Good review! Well written and insightful!
Listening to Il Divo brightens even the cloudiest of days here in Virginia. The song mix is wonderful, the arrangements very creative. Simon has done us a favor -- adding a little spice to what has become a rather ho-hum music scene these days.
I look forward to Il Divo's Ancora, due out in early November in Europe. It is unfortunate, however, that it will not be available in the USA until the end of January! How unfair!
And if Il Divo's "World Tour" is in fact just that, why no dates in the USA?
A group as talented as Il Divo should grace us with a performance in the acoustically perfect Ferguson Center at Christopher Newport University. A perfect venue for a perfectly incredible quartet of talented singers.
See you there? I can always dream...
34 - sidarh aysha rashid
i dont blame girls loving you your very handsome.i hate it when people say horrible things about you because i think there wrong when they silly things about you.
35 - dana parker
I have played Il Divos cd must be hundrets of times, that is all I play day and night over and over again , each time I am so moved by their sound.
I just adore them
I have tickets to see them in March just cannot wait.
36 - Hermin
Great voice and great song, ' i'll wait ur next album
37 - allister
If they sold a "video" CD of all songs being sung, I'd prepay for mine now.
I want to see them perform all their songs. I have seen glimpses of videos made for other songs, but have never caught them on TV, with the exception of Regressa mia.
Love 'em & can't get enough of them.
Alli
38 - allister
To the lady asking what song they sang on the Young and the Restless - it was Unchained Melody.
Alli
39 - Martha
Just bought my ticket to Il Divo for the January performance in CT, need to find out how to get there, love, love, love Il Divo especialls....Urs, does anyone know which solo he sings??? Need a great video of them singing to sort it all out!!!
40 - jose
i am (was) not an opera nor a "popera" fan until i bought the il divo cd to keep me awake on an 8 hour drive. oh boy! i was hooked for the next 8 hours pushing the Repeat button especially on Passera. what a refreshing alternative to all the other groups! i just hope they put out a dvd so that i will know who sings which line of the songs.
41 - Liana
I love these guys! Amazing voices and tons of talent. Each one has an extraordinary voice and i am in love with Urs and Seb.....theyre coming to montreal in February and cant wait to see them... especially the two i mentioned:)
Thankyou Simon for finding these men who touched my soul and make me feel alive.
Love ya guys!!!
42 - WaGGy
Nice review.
I learned about Il Divo just a few days ago when I saw them on TV promoting their album (Philippine TV). From their looks I thought they are just a boyband dressed in formal and so I didn't pay much attention. Three days after, I read an article about them on PDI, "Il Divo - To swoon over them is human, to hear them is divine." I never stopped researching about the group after reading that article. Now I have their albums...and I play them every single day. These guys are great! My sister and I developed a habit of picking out who-sings-what and it is a little difficult LOL. It is easier to recognize the voices of Carlos and Seb than Urs and David. I have to agree with the others...Carlos is so charming and his voice is captivating. Urs looks like a male model. Seb reminds me of a young JFK and David has that "boyband" look, but needless to say - all four of them are REAL singers.
Nice work Simon...and thanks for giving us Il Divo.
43 - Patti-Jo
I only discovered Il Divo by accident. I was wondering our local Barnes & Noble and their Christmas CD was playing. I was awed by Ave Maria and bought the CD. I have since purchased tickets to see them perform in DC and look forward to learning which voice goes to which man!
44 - Silas Kain
Il Divo is wonderful. It's so refreshing to have a real alternative to some of the crap that's been sold as music lately. They're kind of like the Monks of San Giacomo meet the Backstreet Boys. I'd also recommend Bette Midler's Peggy Lee Songbook.
45 - Danielle
Bravo!!! I think they are unbelievable! I am 29 years and my father raised his kids to be very cultural. I have seen Andrea Bocelli in concert and he gave me goose bumps, but this group I want to know when I can see them in concert in Florida! All I can say is give me more Il Divo!
46 - Catrice
First I heard them & fell in love with the music. Then I saw them and can't get enough!!! For thoes who are asking about a dvd...look for the cd that has the 2-sided disk. The dvd side has live performances and the Regresa a mi vidio. I have front row tickets for Feb. and can think about nothing else. They are most refreshing!
Thank you Simon for bringing such delicious performers together!
47 - EDY KING
I have been through the "Sinatra" swooning days; 'Perry Como', and the best throughout the ages - the "Beetles" were not my bag - sorry. What means much to me is how they handle their private lives. If this sudden magic popularity and incredible talent infiltrates their personal lives (as did many others in the past), and their lives end up in the gossip columns, it will ruin what God has given them, which is the greatest talent I have ever heard. I am one who plays their CD's constantly, and can't wait until January 24th for the next CD. God go with you Il Divo - you have the world at your feet now - keep them on the ground - you have been given a gift that I have personally have not heard since the "Three Tenors" (including Pavorati, of course.)
48 - Curious
I was wondering if there are anymore auditions for groupes like il Divo. if so please comment back.
49 - Glenda Carter
Il Divo's new Ancora is available in the US now. (check amazon.com) I received mine about 10 minutes ago haven't even opened it yet. I am saving it for a trip in the morning so I can turn the sound up loud enough to blast the windows out. They are just wonderful....David, Carlos, Sebastian, Urs each have their own special quality and richness in their music. I too wish they would come out with more DVD's as they are such a pleasure to watch when you can connect their faces to the voices. I want a poster of them, a Christmas CD/DVD a DVD of everything they sing. And will pay a good price. I was able to get a DVD available with an album...what a joy. All my neighbors, kids have seen it a dozen times in the last week and we want more.more.more. Keep up the excellent performances guys and remember the more you can generate for the public to view at home in the US the better. Come to Texas as soon as possible..we have a huge welcome mat waiting for you.
50 - claudine roxanne
hi!there,i find IL DIVO kinda diffrent among other boy groups,they've got their own style and touch!each of them has presonality and they're really spectacular.everytime they sing iv'e always been carried away.first time was on OPRAH!
keep it up,i know you've got a long way to go in the music industry....hope you could come up with
come up with another album!
51 - Justin Baumann
I really liked your comments here. I hope you're going to update your site soon. International Chair is always Curious Corner: , Red TV is always Small Mistery when Round is Circle it will Steal Cards , to Lose Table you should be very Black International Round is always Red Player
52 - Silas Kain
I own this CD and love it. This group is wonderful.
53 - PAULA N. CORRIERO
I am 80 years old. I have always found the beauty in music, but this truly fills my heart with joy. God Bless all of them.
54 - Paula Conklin
they sang Unchained Melody on the Young and The Restless
55 - Brandie
Wow. That's all I can say. These guys are fantastic! I am only 20 years old and have always thought "classical" music was for "old and stuffy" people. Was I ever wrong! I absolutely love Il Divo. Their voices and looks!!!:) I have their first album "Il Divo" and "The Christmas Collection" and love them both. I also agree with the gentleman about the track "Passera", a beautiful song and Sebastien is absolutely fantastic on his solo parts! I just heard samples of their new album "Ancora", which is coming out next month, and I cannot wait to buy it! I would stand in line for hours if I had to. Amazing!! I also have a great appreciation for music, singing, and especially harmonies, seeing that I am a singer myself and come from quite a music-filled backgound. I just want to say thank you to Il Divo for coming together and to Simon for putting the long and hard effort into finding these fantastic men! The only music I listen to is their cd's all day long, work, home, in the car, as I'm falling asleep. Beautiful. Gotta love them!
56 - Dawn
To the person wondering about Urs' solo, the best to hear them all clearly is on "Passera", First solo is Urs, second solo is David, third solo is Sebastien, and the fourth solo is Carlos. Amazing aren't they? I am madly in love with Sebastien. He's absolutely, jaw-dropping, drool-coming-from-the-corner-of your-mouth, gorgeous! Anybody else think that? You can also hear them good on "Regressa A Mi", Sebastien starts out, then Carlos, then David with Urs coming in as backgound harmony, and then Urs by himself. If you go to rootv.com and type in Il Divo, they have their music video for "Regressa A Mi", great video!
57 - Martha
First saw ILDIVO on Oprah.Instantly loved their music.Thank you Simon. Enjoy watching all four singers but my favorite is Urs, yummy! Have bought every CD & waiting for new Ancora CD which I have already ordered, know all the words to every song which bring tears to my eyes (why? I don't know)and have tickets to see them in person in San Francisco. Can not wait!
58 - Delightful
For me it's all about Carlos. Each one of them has a beautiful voice but Carlos transcends them all. Strange, I always preferred tenors before, but not any more.
I love the songs and their arrangements. I can't imagine ever getting bored of listening to them.
59 - Don
Love their Christmas Collection CD. These guys CAN sing - a refreshing interlude in light of some of todays music?? Interesting that "Somewhere over the Rainbow" should be included in a Christmas album.
60 - Sara
David, people David is gorgeus, sexy, hot, and everything that the rest of them are not. JUST JOKING. I love each one of them.Their voices are absolutely breathtaking. I listen and watch them everyday. im so obssessed. There is nothing better than IL DIVO. exceptional talent and stricking good looks. Their voices absolutely melt my heart. I want to eat them up!! cuz their soo sweet. IL DIVO is my everything. I cant wait to see them perform live. I think i will absolutely melt.
61 - Karen
I am fifty years old and madly in love. I wanted Il Divo for Christmas for a personal concert but didn't get them so will have to settle for videos on-line. They make my heart jump for joy. Excellent work Simon Cowell.
62 - Asian
I agree with most of the comments in this article. Especially the part about Regressa A Mi 'only caught my attention once all four guys joined in singing the chorus'. That part was where you heard the power in their voices. I suppose they're not as good as the Three Tenors but they're still good, far above some of the nonsense you find around today. Liked the baritone's voice as well as the Swiss tenor's. The others are pretty good too. Didn't like the Ten Tenors when I heard Tenology. Maybe there were too many of them, it sounded like everyone was trying to drown out everyone else's voice. As for comparing Il Divo to Clay Aiken...there is NO comparison. I used to listen to pop until I discovered the joys of classically trained voices. Operas are wonderful, especially Wagner's. And I also like popera. No doubt some will think that insulting.
63 - Asian
Wait, I take that back about Clay Aiken. It isn't fair or right to compare two such different types of music. No doubt he's good in his own right just like other singers are good when singing their own type of music. What I said earlier was prejudiced. Was just irritated by that earlier person who said they were worse than William Hung. I apologize.
64 - Jeannette
Kudos to Simon. It has been a long time since I have heard "pure" voices such as this group. I hope to hear a lot more from them in future years.
65 - shirley
If you have seen them perform you will know it is david singing most of nella fantasia, then urs comes in harmonizing with him and then carlos and sebastien
66 - Sherry
HAVE JUST HEARD IL DIVO AND LOVE THE MUSIC. THANKS TO SIMON COWELL - I ALWAYS KNEW HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN IT CAME TO MUSIC. OF THE AMERICAN IDOL JUDGES, HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO REALLY DOES ! I HOPE TO HEAR A LOT MORE OF IL DIVO.
67 - emma
what can i say?...every time i hear them sing, i get goose bumps.they are simply the best i have ever heard in a long time. bravo!i hope they come and perform here in the u.a.e.
68 - Laurie
I have a friend up the hill from me that has their album and played their version of "Unchain My Heart" It sounded absolutely fantastic!! Simon was right to produce them!! I hope these four men are successful because they richly deserve it!!
69 - inna
i love IL DIVO!!! Dave
70 - Ruthann
The English language, as we know it, does not provide
words to express the beauty of Ancora. I'm 69 years old and these guys just knock my socks off.
Thank you Simon
71 - marilee
why has it taken me so long to hear il divo ? i ran out and bought ancora . i'm wearing it out. they are fabulous !
72 - NurKai
personally and even generally,Il Divo is one group we're waiting for decades.with such amazing talent,excellent voice,charming personality,which human would not melt to their voices? Il Divo are great singers.They're awesome in every way at all.I do hope someday they'll come down to Singapore to perform..
73 - Manager
i say Il Divo bust my buttons off!!! soar with the wind guys! Simon Cowell,you are great and will always be!!
74 - janet
please come to florida, or charlotte n.c. i will gladly spend my s.s. check to see and hear this wonderful group. they make my skin tingle. such voices are a gift of god. thanks simon
75 - Richard
I just bought Ancora , FATASTIC as good as the first cd/dvd . My wife and I would love to see them in person . Keep them comming . THANK YOU SIMON