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
176 - estie
Ummmm...music teacher.....they don't proclaim to sing opera. They are "opera-trained." Obviously, 20 + million people don't agree with you.
177 - Dark Angel
What a fantastic review, thank you, I am a BIG die hard fan, rarely listen to anything else, they are in a word, simply AWESOME !!!! (especially URS)
178 - Anthony Bertorelli
You know, I have read some of the negative reviews of Il Divo. Each one has made the mistake of pointing out that “popera” is not opera. When I read comments like this, I lose some of the respect for the author because he (or she) is assuming that the reader is stupid. I think most music aficionados know the difference between singing opera and singing operatic pop. “Popera” was merely the term applied to this subgenre of popular music.
I had begun to lose hope for popular music. It seems that in recent years, at least here in the United States, pop music is more about commercial appeal than actual talent. I had listened to Bocelli’s “Cieli di Toscana” and fell in love with it. As a person that enjoys buying music, this is the type of music that I would like to hear more of.
And why does music have to be neatly placed into specific genres anyway?
179 - Donna
Il Divo. Super.
Only music I play. What's with the music teaacher? Glad she wasn't mine. I think all the guys have wonderful voices. I particularly like David's but thet are all great.
180 - Steve Huff
I'm astounded that 2 years after I published this blog entry, people still comment.
@ Anthony Bertorelli -- to me, "popera" means lighter-weight voices who would probably not succeed well on stage without a mike doing singing that jumps across genres. It can also mean pop singers with some training, who can "fake" an operatic sound in the studio. Might also mean artists like Josh Groban, who ranges from Italian songbook classics to contemporary pop.
But the essential difference between opera and popera for me is the power in the singing. If Bocelli had not lucked up and tweaked Pavarotti's considerable ego by sounding a little like Pav (a recording of Pav being played on a turntable in another room, really, not the real deal) his weak, strained tenor would never have gotten past provincial Italian houses. Pavarotti, whatever his flaws as a musician or person, got his start honestly -- he could learn the roles and then essay them onstage with a vibrant voice that carried easily to the back row.
I guess I'm just guilty of having more respect for performers like that, based on my own training.
I liked Il Divo because overall the guys render the sort of sound I'm accustomed to hearing, the kind of sound I like, and they take it into a realm previously only dominated by weak, pseudo-operatic vocalists.
181 - dorothy UK
another wonderful concert in Manchester uk.last night.The boys were truly amazing and sang to perfection once again.and GEE WIZZ,I got to shake hands with Urs. .A wonderful night Long live IL DIVO !!!!
182 - cathy
Just want to say that Simon Cowell knew what he was doing when he put Il Divo together. They are the greatest singers EVER!!!!!!!!!!
183 - Eliza
Wonderful ! Handsome guys, beautiful voices . They really seem to have a lot of fun together on stage. I would agree with the review: why is Seb often singled out? I was disappointed to see wikipedia classify his voice as "vox populi" because he does not have formal opera training. His contribution to the team is substantial, and I think that the choice of the music pieces should accommodate his distinctive voice and allow him to show off, like it is the case for the others.
I love them all, but he IS the most handsome and classy one, and is genuinely friendly with the public. Carlos, although very friendly, is clearly a player, and as a woman, I sometimes feel irritated about his demeanor (latin lover style).
Urs and David seem to be more distant with the public. But as a whole, they're fabulous, and I wish them all the best !
184 - julie
I'm a 54 yr old woman and I never did like opera, but when I first heard this group sing, it sounded like angels from heaven. All four of them have voices that everyone would die for. I've seen them on many different talk shows but never got around to buying ther cd. My husband got sick of me braging about how good they are, and always on the computer seeing them on the You Tube practically every day. Then on August 2007 he surprised me with all three of their cd's so I could shut up, but it got worse because everytime he comes home from work I have it on. I can not get enough of ther voices.
I didn't care much for todays music and artists, so I always listened to the oldies and Soft Rock on cable, until Simon Cowell created Il Divo and my attitude toward the music and artists of today has totally changed. It is true that you cannot get enough of them because they are addicting, and I love it. I hope that they continue to be successful and most of all continue to be sincere and don't let fame get to their heads because that will ruin a good group that is appreciated by people of all different ages. I am looking forward to more of Il Divo cd's.
Il Divo is the best thing that ever happened in decades. I know that New Jersey is a small state but I wish that they could have a concert at our PNC Art Center, so us New Jersey fans could also be part of a good experience in watching them perform.
185 - Cinthia
I think other wonderful POPERA singers like Gershon Bradley, Josh Groban, etc..are emerging and we should support their talent. I love IL DIVO but also Gershon Bradley, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban.
186 - Julia
Oh My God, I just heard IL DIVO, I never really like Opera, but I love this music style. I also have heard Andrea Bocelli and I love the song "Con Te Partiro". I heard good reviews about Gershon Bradley, but I can't seem to find his music, anyone knows? I will search and see if he is as good as IL Divo.
187 - Joshua
Go to the dude website or google it.
188 - Jewel
For the person who wanted to find Gershon Bradley's music, you can hear some samples on his website.
They're like a minute long or so. They sound promising but they don't do justice to the actual full songs. I bought my copy of "Journey" last week and I am obsessed with tracks 2 and 9. It's kinda different from Il Divo, though, because these songs are all new and original. Also, he uses some more modern sounds in his songs (there is one that includes electric violin; that was awesome!).
In general, it is a pretty cool cd.
189 - Rose
You mean Journey by GERSHON BRADLEY. Oh yes, I bought his CD. I am hypnotized by those songs. I have to say, I was never a fan of traditional opera, especially the meso soprano sound, but I totally enjoy this classical pop style of music. Another thing I had no appreciation for is songs in other languages. But listening to Gershon Bradley's CD, transforms my mind to Spain when I hear the Spanish songs, and to the Italy when songs are in Italian and to broadway, with "Last Days Of November". One is not bored listening to this CD; it is not the same sound over and over, but each in unique in a style all it's own. With these newer found artists and sounds, I find them a pleasure to listen to. I, too, was STUCK listening to the oldies; the same thing over and over for years. Now Gershon Bradley sings, with his heart and soul, 13 original songs that he has written HIMSELF. That alone is an accomplishment and rates at the TOP of my book. I do listen to Vittorio Grigolo, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli,and Il Divo, Sarah Brightman (and I am sure more. Gershon wil move to the TOP of my music playing collection and stay there for a long time. Gershon...If you read this, I hope to hear more from you soon so keep up the fantastic work! I sent you my email address through your website, so keep in touch. Ciao, Rose
190 - luixander
im one of those opera listeners most people dont like. but just as steve i like some pop music. it is true opera purists and critics consider this musi an offense, but dont worry they actually consider an offense any type of music in which i microphone is included :).
but , i like il divo. specially carlos and davids voice is outstanding, now carlos being called "primo baritono" (steve knows what im talking about), and david , well a very well trained light tenor with a well educated voice :).... rest of the voices (urs and seb) are sweet. urs just like steve said, maybe the less of a pop singer along with david, their vibrato is very powerful and they costantly singing high, i actually havent heard of urs singing low notes :).
my fav version is "nella fantasia" which i think is the best version i've heard. carlos just loves those high notes as much as david, they totally owned that song.
but i would love them to sing at least an opera aria as "nessun dorma" and ofcourse a duet of carlos and david singing "pearls fishers".......what do you think steve? pearls fishers is not a very easy aria and i think it would be a good test to carlos and david:)
other then that, just like steves other review, other popera groups i have not liked, or any other solists i have not liked. only i like over il divo is andrea bocelli. it is true, weak voice, but good technique according to my understanding. from him i specialy like "e lucevan le stelle" and "lamento di federico"....
very good for il divo. you see im not such an opera purist at all or maybe just a hater:)
191 - Steve Huff
Wow.
First, I can't think of another thing I've published online that continually receives commentary like this article. Since writing this I've become a professional journalist, even been featured in a TV special earlier this month on Court TV -- I mostly write about high profile crime, not music, anymore. I don't contribute to blogcritics only because I don't have the time. I should be finishing an article due in to a magazine I freelance for right now :)
But I really like it that folks still leave comments on this post, and I truly appreciate it when they address me as you have done, luixander.
I couldn't ignore your knowledge of the genre.
On Bocelli, luixander: Ok... he's improved. I'm sorry, but when he first hit it big, I loathed him. Recently, though, a pleasing darkness has begun to color his sound, and he seems to sing in tune better than he did before. I expect tenors to sharp when they sing -- I know I've had a problem with that -- but Bocelli used to be distressing in part because he would flat -- his vibrato, so similar to Pavarotti's, had one big difference from the King's -- it tended to loop under the note, not over. Pavarotti, for most of his career, sang "on top of the note," and his protege Mr. Bocelli for a long time sang under the note. It's a purist's distinction, but I just can't avoid it. Singing on top of the note is always more pleasing to the ear than the under. Bocelli seems to have licked that problem. Am I a fan, yet? No. I still don't like the fact that I've personally known tenors who were far superior vocally to a Bocelli, but I don't hear about those guys unless I'm reading the back of Opera News.
On Carlos and David essaying Au fond due Temple Saint, from Pearlfishers: YES. That would be awesome, I think. Carlos has that classic, hearty, Merrill-esque sound that seems to fit that piece perfectly. I'd love to hear something like that. I'd like to hear Carlos try his hand at some of the Verdi classics like "Eri tu," Iago's creed, and anything from Rigoletto, to boot.
Thanks for the comment, luixander -- it put me in the mood for music.
Steve
192 - luixander
hey steve!
hey thanks for the reply.
about bocelli, i wasnt a big fan of him neither when he performed on whether on detroit. and i really havent heard or him lately live neither. so i dont really know how much he has improved. i read he tried the acoustics on the MET but it was just practice. i agree with most of the criticism the critics make about bocelli's singing, but one thing i like about him. and i kno its going to sound weird, but i like his high notes very much, specially his high C and high flat b at the end of nessun dorma, i tell you, it sound so clear:). maybe his voice has darken a little since it has matured , but i dont know about his volume. i hear him on maestro Pav's tribute, and it seemed to me he did improve. he should have some professional help from the masters at least i think that way. when he came with the release of the verdi album he wasnt very good. but then he got some professional training in a week or two, then the critics say that i could have been the right moment for him to record that album because he improved after the training. so i think that, maybe if he gets some help on his breath support, how to eliminate the rasping tone, we could have a prospect for opera :)
about carlos, well i totally agree. his got one of the most addicting baritone voices i've heard. when i heard his voice i just couldnt help but think of him singing pearls fishers with david. somehow david's voice reminds me of maestro alfredo kraus, maybe its just his liggero tenor voice. but hey! who knows, i might get to their fans sight and ask them talk to them and consider singing this aria:)
193 - Peter
What's IL DIVO talent other than sing well? They don't write music as others do. I mean I Like Il Divo but it's only the singing, nothing else. And Only Carlos and David sing well. The other two are not impressive at all. I like someone who creates and then express. I will check this new singer Gershone Bradley. It seems he writes his own music. I will let you know what I think.
194 - kathy
I absolutely love il divo. I have all their cds and have seen them live. I could have stayed for hours more and never tired of them. Please tell me if there are any new cds or concerts coming up. I tried finding out how to get in touch with Simon Cowal, but can't find and email address anywhere.
195 - Tracy
hi Kathy - like you I am a huge fan of Il Divo. They released a book at the end of last year which tells us about all their backgrounds - it is a great read.
They are planing on releasing a new cd in October and are also planning a world tour for 2009.
Havn't seen much organised for this year - but they are supporting Celine Dion for 1 night in a concert in Dublin this May - I have tickets and am really looking forward to it.
For the most up to date info look on the forum on their official website which is at www.ildivo.com hope this helps
196 - Lisa
This is for Peter who said that none of them write songs. That sir, is Incorrect. Sebastien for one, is an accomplished songwriter and has expressed the desire to write an opera with Il Divo.
197 - survivor
Well all i can say is thank god for Simon Cowell!!3 years of everyone talking about these pure voices and gentlemen of music, i was busy not taking any notice of music or news as it made me sad! I involved myself in raising my beautiful daughter on my own with no help! whilst my ex husband had a life of luxury!(no im not bitter i know ive done a good job!!)Then!!! one of my good friends played their CD in her car as she had been to two concerts! My whole body shuddered! since then i have bought all CD's DVD's Their autobiography and its only been two months,so im sure there are people thinking? where the hell have you been!Im back now and feel like a teenager in awe!!!Thank you IL Divo for having faith in yourselves and in people who believe romance and beauty is not dead!
198 - Trishala Robertson
Hi,
I need a new Il Divo moment in my life. There do not seem to be any new CDs, Videos in 2008 so far. With all their touring that they have done, I was thinking that maybe... there would at least be a video or two available of one of their concerts. Please say this is true.Where? PLEASE>
199 - Mari
Sadly there are no videos - I'm having serious ID withdrawl myself - don't know what their management is thinking with such a hugely long break in between tours. I know they were probably exhausted after the '07 tour but over a year is too long to be out of the public eye. People on the official forum are getting bored with the same old songs and pix. Urs, Carlos, Seb and David - we miss you guys! Roll on 2009!
200 - nancy
it is getting to a point where i am thinking "who's IL DIVO"?? Come on you guys, this is not fair.
201 - Laraine
I've never heard Il Divo so I can't comment on the quality of their work, but I have trouble imagining an opera singer even LIKING pop music. The stuff I grew up with (in the fifties) is mostly plain boring, with some of it being a bit of a racket, but today's stuff is just a hideous din.
202 - Christopher Rose
I had the misfortune to hear Il Divo for the first time this weekend, performing a truly dire version of that sad dirge called Amazing Grace. Let's just say I was not amazed and they were not graceful...
203 - Sue (Ursybabe)
Ooooh, how good it is to have our guys back on the scene, after a break that seemed like an absolute eternity to all us fans. Not only have they returned with a NEW & UTTERLY AMAZING album, but also with the promise of a heart stopping world tour. Their concerts are like no other, as these TRULY GORGEOUS & COURTEOUS guys have a magical way of making each & everyone of their fans feel real special at all of them, and that is a gift in itself.
Their BEAUTIFUL VOICES are to die for and if the truth be known, they could even make the song 'My Old Man's a Dustman' sound romantic!!!! (Them doing a magnificent cover version of the very unlikeable 'Frankie Goes To Hollywood' song 'The Power Of Loves' proves it.)
As for Christopher Rose, not enjoying Il Divo's version of Amazing Grace ..... never mind eh? ...It could just be that you are a male, so don't fully appreciate & enjoy the same feelings and thrill us females get from these guys and their songs. Check out the comments made on the You Tube site to see how well their beautiful song, Amazing Grace, was received. I and many others found it simply AHHHMAZING!!!!
Sue ~ Ursybabe
204 - Christopher Rose
Sue, I can tell from your incisive analysis of my gender that you have a really discerning mind; it must be the explanation for your truly mind-boggling claims about this trite vocal group. If you think their singing is amazing, you clearly don't know much about music at all. Maybe it is their "good looks" that is getting you so excited...
205 - Jet
Oh Dear God, I knew something would set him off eventuallly... Thanks for nothing Sue... sheesh
206 - Sue (Ursybabe) Fitz
Trite, Il Divo?? I don't think so..., but then, that's your opinion and you are entitled to it of course.
But for the majority of us(the 22 million and over, who have bought their albums that is) I'd say it was a case of ....
'They are no doubt a feast for the senses and the soul and are heart-throbs every one of them! Opera always was top-era in terms of live arts, and these guys are just kicking the form right into the mainstream for all to enjoy making the towering majesty of the human voice impossible to ignore'.
Oh and btw EVERYTHING about these guys excites me!!! Long live Il Divo!!!Thank you so much Simon Cowell for this beautiful creation!! Thanks also to Steve Huff for this long running article and good luck in becoming a professional journalist. :-)
207 - Steve Huff
Hi, Sue Fitz -- thank you for the comment, and I AM a professional journalist. I write for Village Voice Media, the same folks who own the Voice, LA Weekly, Denver Westword and several other papers.
I write mainly about crime now, but I do believe this article is the only one I've ever written that continued to receive such a steady stream of commentary. That's pretty cool, and I'm usually pleased and surprised when I find out there's a new comment here. Thanks, everyone.
208 - Cheryl Edwards-Harkless
My daughter exposed me to Il Divo just a few months ago. In that time I have come to love them. They are indeed some special young men. Their voices are so melodius and relaxing. Thank God first and Simon Cowell for them. When I saw the video Live at The greek, it blew my mind. I live about 90 miles from Houston and wish I could be there for their upcoming concert. I am in wheel chair and my finances won't afford it but to all who attend and read this message please have me in mind as you enjoy the concert. God's Peace
209 - BARBARA
I am TOTALLY addicted to IL DIVO. I saw them in Orlando and my heart has been full of their voices ever since. Thank you Simon Cowell for your genius in puting these four incredible voices together.I pray I get to see them live again, it was THE most incredible night of music I have ever experienced. I now have all the cd's/video's waiting for the next one.