"Popera," simply put, often lacks balls.
Il Divo are more exciting to listen to than any of their predecessors because if they understand one thing, they understand that operatic singing is something you do with moxie.
Sure, there is plenty of crooning to be found on Il Divo's album; the song that is getting the most publicity from the disc, "Regresa A Mi," the spanish version of Toni Braxton's "Unbreak my heart," only caught my attention once all four guys joined in singing the chorus - the song went from mid-level, easy-listening pop then to something a bit more virile and interesting, and my attention was snared.
Each singer gets to shine on the album - it is difficult to determine from liner notes who sings solo parts, though I might assume that the photo of an individual member being with the lyrics to one or two songs may indicate that guy has the lead on the cut. In general the two tenors, David and Urs, are far above average for opera alone, much less pop. One has a full, almost baritonal sound reminiscent of a young Domingo, the other has a thrilling top not unlike current straight-out opera star Roberto Alagna. Baritone Carlos Marin is easy to pick out - his is a true, solid lyric baritone, equally well-suited usually to classic broadway music and the operatic stage. Here he gets to show off his own top notes - trust me, baritones love their high notes as much as any tenor - and Marin is well-suited to the Italian-language version of "Feelings" found on cut 9. Yes, the "c word" - cheesy - applies to that particular cover rather well, but I still found it enjoyable for the richly-voiced melody and impeccable Italian.
Pop singer Sebastien Izambard acquits himself so well in this group that one wonders why he's set apart in publicity about the group as the lone "pop" voice. My favorite song on the album, written by famed soundtrack composer Ennio Morricone, is cut 3, "Nella Fantasia," and here Izambard's voice appears to be heavily featured. He sings with nuance and taste, but easily throws in with the other three in the big, full-throated moments in all the songs on the album.
There are forgettable bits on this album, it's true, and no small amount of the europop sound that makes me wince on albums by other similar groups. But the power of the vocalism and the very classy way the CD - the group, really - is packaged make it on balance a much more appealing offering than any of the previous "popera" albums I've sampled.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Ann
Re "Nella Fantasia"... sorry but that's Carlos singing the entire lead! You can really enjoy Sebastien's voice on "Every Time I Look at You" and "Passera". I absolutely love Sebastien's voice! I know it's not as operatic as the others' but it's still powerful, with a laid-back, breathy quality. (Yeah, yeah, and he's a heartthrob to boot.) :)
2 - N icolette
This is a very good review -- it gave me a desire to possibly purchase something I had no plans to purchase.
3 - Temple Stark
Steve, great take. Breaks a few of the stereo types.
This work of yours now has another venue for success - and more eyes - at the Advance.net Web sites, a place affiliated with about 12 newspapers.
One such site is here.
Also please let your contact know, if you had one, that this article, is published at one more place. That helps a lot.
Thank you.
Temple Stark
4 - maryj
dear simon thank you for giving me such joy and listening pleasure, my husband who would have loved album this passed away in april im sorry he missed it.
5 - Michelle
I enjoyed the review. I first heard Il Divo perform on Oprah, and I was very excited. As a music teacher I strive very hard to get my students to understand what singing "opera" is or isn't. What gorgeous voices these men have! I spent a lot of time trying to figure out which man was singing which solo. I love the harmonies; that's one thing I miss while singing. I also love the fact that Italian and Spanish languages are so well represented. Two of my favorite languages to sing. It is just so nice to hear beautiful voices.
6 - Luciana
I'm not a music teacher, I don't know who's the baritone, or who's the tenor, I don't often listen to opera, as a matter of fact, never. But I do know this....Il Divo is an absolute pleasure to listen to! Every song sends a shiver up my spine and the fact that they are drop dead gorgeous doesn't hurt either! I tip my hat off to Simon, who, without a doubt, is a genius. I await anxiously for their next album. I wish them much success, which undoubtedly will be easy to achieve.
7 - Tilly Flop
I am a big fan of Il Divo & have this cd playing for most of the day. Thankyou Steve for a wonderful review. I will be posting it on the Il Divo forum website www.ildivo.com where I am sure it will give pleasure to the many divas all over the world. A big thank you to you on their behalf.
Many thanks,
Tilly Flop
8 - Mariajoy
I am a big fan of Il Divo and I listen to the CD all the time. Thank you Steve for this wonderful review. I'm glad you like them as much as I do. I don't think that Simon is nasty at all. He just has the guts to speak his mind with the honest to God truth and that truth hurts sometimes. Which is why the contestants on American Idol respect him more than the others and take his advice to heart.
Many thanks,
Mariajoy
9 - Minstrel
I've loved Il Divo since the first time I heard them and seeing them perform live is sensational. I'ld like to point out that on Nella Fantasia, Carlos does not sing the entire lead. He does sing the first verse solo, but the second and third are headed off by Urs, with Sebastien joining in with beautiful clarity and David rounding the both verses off with a resounding tenor. Carlos still is in there however, providing background harmony. Carlos does sing the greater part of one song and that's "Ths Man You Love".
Il Divo, what a breath of fresh air!
Minstrel
10 - christina
excellent review....seb's opening of the chorus passera is breathtaking...his voice is so mellow....and yes....david can hit those high notes well!
11 - jenny brown
I have been mad on these guys since the parkinson show for me they can do no wrong there singing is out of this world and as for there looks faboulos
Jenny
HAIL IL DIVO
12 - Christine Perry
Congratulaltions to Simon Cowell for putting together such an awesome group of singers ... they are absolutely fantastic and their voices are in perfect harmony. I love them all but for me Carlos Marin is drop dead gorgeous with those lovely sensual eyes and a smile that makes his whole face light up, warms my heart and sends shivers all over me everytime I hear his voice and see him on DVD. He is a very charismatic performer and I know all will agree with me. Sebastian is also gorgeous and very suave and like Carlos has the 'S' factor. David and Urs also are pleasing to the eye and have exceptional voices ... especially David's Spanish pronunciation is spot on. Keep up the good work guys, love to meet you!
Waiting anxiously for their next cd and dvd and would love to see them come down under (Australia) for a Concert.
With love and many thanks.
Christine, Sydney, Australia.
13 - Christy
Listening to Il Divo in my car moved me to tears...Or was it the testosterone building up inside the windshield? Magnificent music from magnificent men!
14 - Jo
I love this group, I can't get enough of their music. Where will they be performing?
15 - Michael
I heard Il Divo while visiting family in England, what a treat, I do hope they come to Canada in the near future. Looking forward to the next recording.
Thanks Simon for introducing us to this fine singing group
16 - Marie stirling
I heard Il Divo for the first time this afternoon on the Young and the Restless TV show..OMG..what a sensation i am a classical fan and this group sung exceptionally well together..and super to look at!!! Good luck with all your future albums. I most certainly will buy your albums!!!
17 - joni
I also heard il divo for the first time to day on y and r. I had never heard of them and I had to look it up as soon as the show was over. It made me cry when the harmony really starts to push at the end. It brings out something very special that you don't hear in pop during your day to day. Very refreshing.
18 - spring
GUYS : i can listten to you guys forever over and over !!!
well doen and good luck hope to see you here in belgium
19 - Your Big Fan
mygosh! this guys is truly magnificent with gergeous looks and truly unique voices...cant't stop playing the songs for at least a day..... you'll always be the number 1 in my heart and love to c ya real soon in malaysia!
20 - Dina Renwick
I just fell in love with Il Divo from the start. But please Simon let us have a DVD on them now, I am dying to watch them sing. The brief shop on Oprah was not enough.
Dina
21 - Karen J
Just love these hunks! Anyone know of the easiest way to find translations of these beautiful songs? Thanks
22 - Abby
I'll tell you one thing right now, popera is not cheesy. Anyway, Cristine Perry, I will have to agree with you on that Carlos Marin is drop dead gorgeous. He makes my heart skip a beat every time he sings and i can't get enough of him. He makes me giggle and sends shivers up my spine also. I love Carlos deep-set eyes that draw you in and his lucious lips. Then Sebastien is definitely a heartthrob, David is extremely cute and Urs is buff and adorable. As for their voices, OMG! I never stop listening to them ever ever ever ever! Everyday I have to listen to them.The cd is on in every car so when we get in they are already on. Carlos' solo in Passera just blows me away. David has such a beautiful clear and pure voice. And Carlos is just breath-taking and powerful and Sebastien's is very smooth and sexy. I cant get enough of Il Divo. I love how they took the song "Unbreak my Heart" and sang it in Spanish. Spanish and Italian are such beautiful languages that Il Divo sing beautifully. You cant get much better than this. There are other wonderful singers out there, but Il Divo goes above and beyond everyone else. I love you Simon Cowell for making this dream of yours become a reality. This is my favorite music and group EVER!
23 - Sarah
The review was good other than popera being cheesy. cuz it's not. And yes, im afraid it "IS the best food in the world." Sorry to say it, but it is. Actually, im not sorry. They are that is just a fact.
24 - John Bil
They sound terrible, and I think they need to loose weight. They are no Clay, their not even that chinese guy that sings "she bangs".
25 - Devojka
Perscription for a Romantic evening: alone in a jacuzzi bathtub, lots of candle light, nobody bugging you ... and a TV/DVD player across from the bath tub ... sigh ... Having a member of the opposite sex to share the tub would only be distracting!! Who needs "real-time" sex, w/the hazards it brings, when just lying back in hot bubbly water watching these guys, leaves "you" feeling totally satiated? Especially Carlos & Urs... I wonder if the guys in "our" part of Switzerland are as yummy as Urs, If there are, I'm sorry my grandparents didn't stay there! Do either of them have unmarried Fathers or Brothers, over 53, who might enjoy living on a hilltop in northern california? Clearly it is way past time to bring them here, to the west coast!!