Il Divo's hometown hero talks up life as opera pop star

KUSA - Il Divo fans had quite the treat over the weekend in Denver. This internationally known group of men who bring opera to the masses performed at the Wells Fargo Theatre.
For one of them, it was quite the homecoming.

David Miller, the only American in the group, has Colorado roots. He's a '91 grad of Heritage High in Littleton, and lots of his friends and family, including his mom, turned out for the show.

He said having that kind of support was wonderful, though he admitted he had butterflies before taking the stage.

"I find it more nervewracking, actually, to perform in front of friends and family," he said. "They know me offstage. When I'm off on tour playing random cities around the world, people only know my stage personality. Friends and family know me since I was knee high."

Miller joked that his talent for music probably started in the womb. He said his mother used to listen to classical music all the time during her pregnancy. As a child, he tried piano, then trombone, before settling on choir when he hit middle school.

High school productions followed, and then it was on to the highly regarded Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio were he excelled.

In December 2003, he joined Il Divo along with Swiss operatic tenor Urs Bühler, French pop singer Sébastien Izambard, and Spanish baritone Carlos Marín.

Recently named Artist of the Decade at the Classic BRITS, Il Divo has sold more than 25 million albums and helped pioneer the classical crossover genre. The group has more than 150 gold and platinum awards in 33 countries.

Their first four albums, Il Divo, Ancora, Siempre and The Promise have achieved 50 #1 album chart positions internationally.
Their most recent, Wicked Game, was the basis for much of their Denver performance. Miller says a new album is due in September.

Someday, Miller is hoping Il Divo will play at one of his most favorite venues in the world, Red Rocks. "We haven't played Red Rocks yet, and that's primarily because of the size constriction. We bring a very large show, and Red Rocks has a fairly compact proscenium," he said.

"I hope we will at some point, 'cause none of the guys have ever seen it!"