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Il Divo

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For the Italian film, see Il Divo (film).

Il Divo
From left to right, Sébastien Izambard, Carlos Marin, David Miller and Urs Bühler.
From left to right, Sébastien Izambard, Carlos Marin, David Miller and Urs Bühler.
Background information
GenresOperatic pop
Years active2003–present
LabelsSyco Music, Columbia
MembersUrs Bühler
Sébastien Izambard
Carlos Marín
David Miller
Websiteildivo.com

Il Divo is a multinational operatic pop vocal group created by manager Simon Cowell. Formed in the United Kingdom, they are signed to Cowell's record label, Syco Music.[1] Il Divo is a group of four male singers: French pop singer Sébastien Izambard, Spanish baritone Carlos Marín, American tenor David Miller, and Swiss tenor Urs Bühler. To date, they have sold more than 26 million albums worldwide.[2]

History

Concert in Sydney, 2012

The idea behind Il Divo's creation came to Cowell after hearing Andrea Bocelli perform "Con te partirò" while watching The Sopranos. In 2004, G4, a quartet of operatic male singers, also appeared in the UK on Cowell's TV show The X Factor. They finished runners-up, but were signed by Sony records - ironically, the lead singer of this group, Jonathan Ansell, had previously auditioned to be a member of Il Divo.[3] Cowell was already aware of this new appreciation for lyrical voices and classical music, he had decided to form a multinational quartet (the members hail from Spain, Switzerland, France, and the United States, the name being in Italian) that recreated the style of The Three Tenors.

Cowell conducted a worldwide search for young singers who were willing to embark on the Il Divo project, which lasted two years, from 2001 until December 2003, when the fourth member of Il Divo, American tenor David Miller, was signed. The well-established formation of Il Divo comprises a renowned Spanish baritone, Carlos Marín; two classically trained tenors, Swiss Urs Bühler and American David Miller; and a French pop singer, Sébastien Izambard.

Il Divo sings in Spanish, English, Italian, French and Latin. Il Divo was named the Most Multinational UK No.1 Album Group in the 2006 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.

On 25 April 2007, Il Divo performed on American Idol in one of the "Idol Gives Back" episodes, which raised money for children in the U.S. and Africa. For every vote cast during that show, Idol sponsors Coca-Cola, AT&T, and others donated money to Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF) and other groups such as Save the Children and America's Second Harvest.[4]

On 12 December 2008, Il Divo performed their new song at the Swedish Idol 2008 finale in the Globen Arena in Stockholm.[5]

As Barbra Streisand's guests

Having just completed a six-month tour of America, Australia, and Europe, Il Divo then participated in all 20 concerts by Barbra Streisand in her North American tour as her special guests. "Streisand: The Tour" with Il Divo was ranked second for all tours for 2006, generating $92.5 million in gross sales. They also accompanied her in her Europe's concerts.

2006 World Cup

On 9 June 2006, Il Divo performed the 2006 FIFA World Cup official song, "The Time of Our Lives," with R&B singer Toni Braxton live, at half-time, during the opening match between Germany and Costa Rica and again a month later at the 9 July closing ceremony.[6][7] The song is available exclusively on the Voices from the FIFA World Cup compilation album and on the European reissue of Braxton's album Libra but not on any Il Divo album. A shortened version of the song is featured on the second disc of Braxton's greatest hits album.

2011 Paraguay show

The Paraguay show was Il Divo's biggest capacity performance ever and took place on 20 December 2011, at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asuncion, for 33 900 people.[8][9]

2014

On July 19, 2014, Il Divo played before a capacity crowd at Edinburgh Castle where a pop festival took place ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The group performed Amazing Grace[10] at the event which also saw artists such as Jessie J, Smokey Robinson and Culture Club perform.

Discography

Main article: Il Divo discography

Il Divo (2004)

Main article: Il Divo (album)

Recording started in the first half of 2004 in Sweden, with producers Quiz & Larossi, Per Magnusson & David Kreuger and in the UK with producer Steve Mac. This self-titled album contained the Spanish rendition of Toni Braxton's hit "Unbreak My Heart" (Regresa a Mí), (Braxton had originally released "Regresa a Mi" as a b-side to her 1996 single, "Unbreak My Heart"); their second single and first original song "Mama"; Sinatra's "My Way" (A mi manera); "Nella Fantasia," and 1994's San Remo Festival winner "Passerà."

The album hit the No. 1 slot on both Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com after a career-defining appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 5 April 2005, where they performed "Regresa a Mi".

In the United Kingdom, the Il Divo album knocked Robbie Williams off the number 1 spot in the UK charts, Williams allegedly said to them at the Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason film premiere, "So you are the four idiots who have forced me off my number one spot!"[11]

This multiplatinum-selling CD became number one in the charts in a total of 13 countries around the world, and achieved top 5 placing in 25 countries.

Ancora (2005)

Main article: Ancora

This was recorded in both Sweden and London with producers Per Magnusson, David Kreuger and Steve Mac, who were also the producers of their first album. Released on 7 November 2005 in the UK, it hit number one both in the UK and Australia within one week. Ancora was released in the US on 24 January 2006. It entered the Billboard albums chart at number 1, selling more than 150,000 copies during its first week of sales.

Highlights include "Isabel," "I Believe in You (Je crois en toi)," a duet with Céline Dion, a Spanish version of Secret Garden's "You Raise Me Up" (Por ti seré), and a Spanish cover of Eric Carmen's "All by Myself." Two of the tracks on the non-American release of this CD, "O Holy Night" and a version of Schubert's "Ave Maria," also appear on 2005's The Christmas Collection.

The Christmas Collection (2005)

Main article: The Christmas Collection (Il Divo album)

Recorded in 2005, the album is a collection of Christmas and holiday-inspired songs.

Voices (2006)

Main article: Voices from the FIFA World Cup

Is a collection of songs released at the time of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Siempre (2006)

Main article: Siempre (Il Divo album)

Released on 21 November 2006 in the United States and one week later in the rest of the world.

The Promise (2008)

Main article: The Promise (Il Divo album)

The album was released globally on 10 November 2008, except in the US and Canada, where it was released on 18 November 2008, Ireland where it was released on 7 November 2008, and Japan, on 26 November 2008.[12] The album reached the No.1 spot in the UK on 16 November 2008. The album was produced by Steve Mac. According to the credits on the DVDs, the bagpipes in Amazing Grace, both on this album and in the performance in the In the Coliseum DVD, are played by Robert White.[13]

Wicked Game (2011)

Main article: Wicked Game (Il Divo album)

Wicked Game was released on 4 November 2011. The album reached the top 20 in national charts in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.

Greatest Hits (2012)

Main article: Greatest Hits (Il Divo album)

On 6 September 2012, it was announced that Il Divo will release a Greatest Hits album. The album, released on 26 November 2012 and produced by Alberto Quintero, features songs spanning Il Divo's incredible 8-year career as well as four new songs including 'My Heart Will Go On', 'I Will Always Love You', 'I Can't Help Falling in Love With You' and 'Alone'.[14]

On 15 October 2012, it was announced that Il Divo will tour with Katherine Jenkins for the first time over Europe and North America[15]

A Musical Affair (2013)

Main article: A Musical Affair (Il Divo album)

DVDs

Mama (2005)

The Il Divo released Mama – The Video, which included exclusive footage of the "Making of the Video," a live recording of "Mama – Live in New York," plus a photo gallery.

Encore (2005)

File:Ildivodvdcover.jpg
Cover of the DVD Encore

An open air "live" concert filmed at the Teatro Romano, which is part of the "Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida" World Heritage site in Mérida, Spain, 2005 and was released as DVD on 24 January 2006. The DVD features 8 tracks, including:

Concert

  • "Si Tu Me Amas"
  • "Isabel"
  • "O Holy Night"
  • "Heroe"
  • "All By Myself (Solo Otra Vez)"

Extras

  • Il Divo Revealed (documentary interspersed with concert songs)
  • "Regresa A Mi (Unbreak My Heart)" (Music video)
  • "Mama" (Music video)

Live at the Greek Theater (2006)

The second official DVD release of Il Divo, this contains the full live concert performed on 27 June 2006 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California as part of their World Tour 2006. This recording captures all the songs that have established the group's popularity, such as their breakthrough hit "Regresa A Mi" through to their original songs such as "Mama," "Si Tu Me Amas," and the only song taken from their Christmas album, "Rejoice." They also performed a previously unreleased rendition of the iconic song "Somewhere" as featured in the musical West Side Story. Most releases in the United States of America do not have "Everytime I Look at You" on it as a major music distributor bought the rights to it in order to promote this song as a bonus track on their release of the DVD, despite the tracklisting on the back-covers still listing the track.

Setlist (in order)

  • Regresa a mi
  • All by myself (Solo otra vez)
  • Passerà
  • Isabel
  • Nella fantasia
  • Rejoice
  • Pour que tu m'aimes encore
  • I Believe in You (Je crois en toi)
  • Unchained Melody (Senza catene)
  • Every Time I Look at You
  • Si tú me amas
  • Feelings
  • Mama
  • Somewhere
  • Hero
  • My Way (A mi manera)

Extras

  • "The Time of our Lives" video - performed with Toni Braxton as the official 2006 FIFA World Cup song. It features three versions: English, German, and international.
  • Up-close and personal interview - focuses on the group's reflections of their success so far.

Live at the Coliseum (2008)

The DVD was released in the UK on 1 December 2008, but the show was at the Pula Arena in Pula, Croatia.

It features performances of:

  • Amazing Grace
  • The Power of Love (La Fuerza Mayor)
  • Hallelujah (Alleluia)
  • The Winner Takes It All (Va Todo Al Ganador)
  • Adagio

With an in-depth 30-minute interview entitled 'The Promise – Il Divo in Conversation.'

An Evening With Il Divo - Live in Barcelona (2009)

While partaking in their largest worldwide tour, Il Divo recorded and released An Evening With Il Divo – Live in Barcelona, a live DVD with an accompanying 10-track CD with songs from the concert. It was recorded at Il Divo's largest capacity performance in Europe and took place at Palau Sant Jordi on 3 April 2009 with attendance of 20000 people. Added to the setlist are two previously unrecorded songs by the band, Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Impossible Dream. Extras include a "behind the scenes footage/making of the tour" interview with Il Divo.
Disc 1: The CD

  • Unbreak My Heart (Regresa A Mi)
  • Unchained Melody (Senza Catene)
  • La Promessa
  • Adagio
  • Somewhere
  • Nights in White Satin (Notte Di Luce)
  • Without You (Desde El Dia Que Te Fuiste)
  • Hallelujah (Aleluya)
  • Amazing Grace
  • My Way (A Mi Manera)

Disc 2: The DVD

  • Somewhere
  • Unbreak My Heart (Regresa A Mi)
  • La Promessa
  • Angelina
  • Isabel
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • She
  • Passera
  • Unchained Melody (Senza Catene)
  • Mama
  • Nights in White Satin (Notte Di Luce)
  • The Winner Takes It All (Va Toda Al Ganador)
  • Without You (Desde El Dia Que Te Fuiste)
  • Pour Que Tu M'Aimes Encore
  • Everytime I Look at You
  • Hallelujah (Aleluya)
  • Adagio
  • La Vida Sin Amor
  • Caruso
  • The Power of Love (La Fuerza Mayor)
  • My Way (A Mi Manera)
  • Amazing Grace
  • The Impossible Dream

Extras

  • On Tour With Il Divo

Live in London (2011)

Setlist (in order)

  • Come What May (Te Amare)
  • Dov'è L'Amore
  • Adagio
  • Nella Fantasia
  • La Vida Sin Amor
  • Everytime I Look at You
  • Passerà
  • Unchained Melody (Senza Catene)
  • My Way (A Mi Manera)
  • Wicked Game (Melanchonia)
  • Si Tú Me Amas
  • Mama
  • Hallelujah (Aleluya)
  • Crying (Llorando)
  • Unbreak My Heart (Regresa a Mí)
  • Without You (Desde El Dia Que Te Fuiste)
  • Pour Que Tu M'Aimes Encore
  • Somewhere
  • Time to Say Goodbye (Con Te Partirò)

Bonus Content

  • Countdown to the Coliseum
  • At The Classic Brits
  • At The Photoshoot
  • In The Studio
  • At The Coliseum
  • Wicked Game - Track by Track
  • Wicked Game Album Trailer

Bibliography

Romancing The World (2005)

Author: Allegra Rossi
Format: Hardback 128 pages
Date of publication: 10 November 2005
Publisher: Orion
ISBN 978-0-7528-7519-4

Our Music, Our Journey, Our Words (2007)

Author: Il Divo
Format: Paperback 192 pages
Data of publication: 6 September 2007
Editor: Headline Book Publishing
ISBN 978-0-7553-1657-1

References

  1. ^ Caplan, David (23 October 2008). "FIRST LISTEN: Il Divo Sings 'Hallelujah'". People. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  2. ^ "Il Divo Takes "IL DIVO - A MUSICAL AFFAIR: THE GREATEST SONGS OF BROADWAY LIVE" On The Road". MarketWatch. PR Newswire. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  3. ^ Mansey, Kate (6 May 2005). "X-TRA SPECIAL; Kate Mansey meets the boy band with the manners of gentlemen It's so strange to be finally famous". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  4. ^ EBSCO Publishing Service Selection Page
  5. ^ Parkström, Sara (9 December 2008). "Il Divo gästar idolfinalen". Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  6. ^ [1][dead link]
  7. ^ FIONA: DIVO - Mirror.co.uk
  8. ^ Branco, Marlene Aponte (21 December 2011). "Polca, guarania y ópera en una cálida noche de festejo patrio". Diario ABC Color (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  9. ^ Coronel, Jorge (21 December 2011). "Il Divo celebró en concierto el Bicentenario del Paraguay". Diario ABC Color (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  10. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p023b2l2
  11. ^ Robbie's alleged statement. Accessed 5 March 2008.
  12. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (5 August 2008). "New Il Divo Album Set For November". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  13. ^ "Il Divo - The Promise (CD, Album)". Retrieved 15 November 2009.
  14. ^ "The Greatest Hits - Deluxe Limited Edition | The Official Il Divo Site". Ildivo.com. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  15. ^ "Il Divo & Katherine Jenkins To Tour Germany | The Official Il Divo Site". Ildivo.com. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
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