Forte (vocal group)

• Comment: With the possbile exception of [1], the current sources are not WP:RELIABLE and so do not help to establish notability. ~KvnG 23:25, 3 February 2014 (UTC)

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Introduction

Forte Tenors are a classical crossover tenor trio, originally coming together as entrants on America's Got Talent, Season 8.The trio is made up of Operatic Tenor Sean Panikkar, who joined the group as a replacement for Hana Ryu (who had to drop out of the competition due to issues with his visa) along with original members Fernando Varela and Josh Page. Forte had unique origins, having met over the internet and coming together with the sole intent of trying for America's Got Talent. Quoting Sean Panikkar "I think what really makes our group work is that the three of us are such unique voices. We’re all from different musical backgrounds. What we’re doing is more or less a classical spin on pop music — singing it in a classical style." Having met only for minutes prior to their first performance together, their voices blended flawlessly producing a distinct and unbelievably enjoyable sound. Forte made it to the final round - with strong fan support behind them, eventually finishing in 4th place.

As they walked off the stage after the finale, Forte was approached by representatives of Sony/Columbia records, quickly signed a record deal, and immediately recorded their first CD in an amazing 5 days. Their self-titled CD was released November 12, 2013, under 11 weeks after the AGT finale. Almost immediately rising to #3 on the Amazon Music charts, it debuted at #76 on Billboard's top 200 In a meteoric rise to success in the classical crossover genre, Forte Tenors lives have been a whirlwind since the America's Got Talent Finale. Along with their solo careers, the trio has managed within their first few months following AGT to fit in a number of impressive performances to include: headlining for The Golden Hat Foundation the Music of Hope concert at Carnegie Hall, on November 16, 2013; a performance during the National Tree Lighting at the White House December 6, 2013; a three night run of a full-length Forte headline show at the Tropicana Las Vegas on December 28-30, 2013; a concert at the Boca Raton Festival of the Arts March 15, 2014; and as the feature performers in the Central City Opera Theater of Dreams Gala in Denver Colorado on April 5, 2014.

Discography

Single Caruso - Sony/Columbia Records (Digital Release)

Album Forte - Sony/Columbia Records, Released November 12, 2013

Members

Sean Panikkar

Billed on America's Got Talent as "Mr Mom", Sean Panikkar is in actuality an operatic tenor with a storied career of over 10 years. Possessing Bachelor and Master's Degrees in Music Performance from the University of Michigan, Sean also participated in the Seagle Music Colony, and in the Merola Summer program at the San Francisco Opera, where he was also selected to be an Adler Fellow. He has been a resident of the Michigan Opera Theater, and the Pittsburgh Opera. Along with Forte, Sean is maintaining his current operatic schedule, which included performances this season as Tamino with Pittsburgh Opera and Macbeth at the Palm Beach Opera among others.

An operatic tenor of Sri Lankan heritage, Sean has a strong, silken voice that can't help but capture the attention of any who hear it. Now having performed internationally in such roles as Gomatz in Mozart's "Ziade", Nadir in Bizet's "Pearlfishers", Narraboth in Strauss' "Salome" Lensky in Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin", and many more, Sean has received acclaim from critics across the globe. In addition, Sean has been honored by the George London Foundation with the 2007 Robert Jacobson Memorial Award and a 2009 George London Award; was a First Prize winner of the 2010 Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition, and second place winner in the 2009 International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition.

Discography

Stravinsky's Persephony, with the American Symphony Orchestra, Tenor Sean Panikkar

Mozart's Zaide (DVD), Directed by Peter Sellers, Gomatz: Sean Panikkar - Medici Arts

Puccini's Manon Lescaut (DVD with the Metropolitan Opera, Edmondo: Sean Panikkar - EMI Classics

William Bolcom, Songs of Innocence and of Experience, Soloist: Sean Panikkar

The Armed Man & Concert for Peace (DVD) Rackham Symphony Choir and Orchestra, Tenor Soloist: Sean Panikkar

Fernando Varela

Born in Puerto Rico, and growing up in Central Florida, Fernando did not begin singing seriously until high school. Having once been laughed at in his audition for the music department at the University of Central Florida, Fernando Varela is now a highly-acclaimed tenor, who instead garners standing ovations from crowds around the world for his emotional and captivating voice. Singing anything from Nessun Dorma to taking on all the parts in Bohemian Rhapsody in a solo performance, Fernando does not fail to move an audience to it's feet. Discovered by David Foster in his "Born to Sing" competition, Fernando has since performed with David on multiple occasions. David said of him "Luciano Pavarotti has been reborn! Fernando has the voice and personality of a superstar." Fernando has performed with the Central Florida Lyric Opera, and the Palm Beach Opera. He has performed in more than 31 countries and won critical acclaim across the globe. Fernando has individually recorded three CD's available digitally on iTunes or on Amazon music including "Dare to Live", "Prelude" and "Inspiration".

Josh Page

The youngest member of Forte, Josh Page, a New Yorker who along with his involvement in his family's alpaca farm is at 23 already an accomplished artist. Along with his brother, Zach, Josh has founded the Brothers Page. The Brothers Page is an eclectic band who write, arrange, produce and perform their own music in a unique style which can range from bluegrass to rock-and-roll, with influences from all genres including the classical where Josh has also made his mark individually. Having become a YouTube sensation after singing "The Prayer" with Josh Groban, Josh Page has toured with Jackie Evancho, and been a stand in for Andrea Bocelli during his "Passione" album release press tour.

Josh competed in and won a David Foster and Friends vocal competition in 2009, and has studied at the Manhattan School of Music, Boston University's Tanglewood Institute, the Bel Canto Institute in Florence, and Siena Summer Music.