Citytimes Home > Citytimes

186 321    36Print this story

The tenor’s tale Adam Zacharias / 26 September 2012 Urs Bühler from classical crossover behemoths Il Divo tells us about battling a volcano and charming Chris Isaak’s mum SPEAKING SHORTLY BEFORE Il Divo’s first ever concert in Zagreb, Urs Bühler recalls the odd story behind the group’s rendition of Wicked Game, the title track to their 2011 album. Having been presented with a lush string arrangement to Chris Isaak’s signature song, the four members who comprise the world’s foremost classical crossover act were united in excitement. However, this initial elation was swiftly deflated by a procession of administrative niggles – beginning with the fact that Simon Cowell, the group’s creator and label head, wanted to nix the idea from the start. “Simon didn’t get it at all,” says Urs, who hails from Switzerland but lives in London. “He was like, ‘What do you want to do with this?’ Then we approached Chris Isaak’s management team and said we wanted to record the song in Italian, and they refused.” With the idea dead in the water, Il Divo found salvation from an unlikely source – Isaak’s elderly mother Dorothy, an eccentric influence who once claimed she was singing Elvis’ Blue Suede Shoes when she gave birth to her rocker son. “Apparently Dorothy, who is Italian, convinced him to let us record the song, under the condition we do it in Italian,” says the tenor in his cheerily languid tone. “So we put a little thank you on the album to her, because she made it possible.” Making the band Il Divo formed almost nine years ago, after Simon Cowell decided to tap the growing market for pop music with an operatic sheen. An exhaustive worldwide search finally yielded the discovery of Urs, fellow tenor David Miller from California, baritone Carlos Marín from Madrid and Parisian pop star Sébastien Izambard – the line-up which remains in place today. Upon its 2004 release, Il Divo’s self-titled and multi-lingual debut record proved an immediate global phenomenon, shifting close to five million units. Meanwhile the band themselves – who were all in their early to mid-30s at the time – stirred boy band levels of adoration among their slightly older female fanbase, thanks to their pin-up looks and mellifluous voices. Eight years later, the group have released five more studio albums and sold 26 million records – meaning that life for Urs and his bandmates remains as hectic as ever in 2012, with shows in 46 countries across six continents. “We’ve been touring since January and we’re on around show number 115,” Urs tells us. “We’ve got about 20 more to go and we finish in South America at the end of October.” In time for a well-earned rest? “No actually!” exclaims the 41-year-old, revealing that the quartet have little more than one week’s break before they fly to Japan to promote Il Divo’s Greatest Hits. Out on November 26, the record features favourites including Unbreak My Heart and Adagio, as well as four new tracks: My Heart Will Go On (in Italian), I Will Always Love You (in Spanish), Alone (in Spanish) and I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You (in English). A long way from home Urs’ transient lifestyle as a musician has become harder since he became a father to three-year-old daughter Billie with his partner, Il Divo’s British former hair and make-up artist Tania Rodney. “Last time we were on tour, the little one was only just born so we basically just took her around the world along with mummy,” he explains. “Now she’s started going to nursery, so I’ve just got to get myself through with Skype and phone calls. “It’s been hard this year but it’s a choice you make. It’s a way of life and you know it’s not going to last forever.” But the classically-trained performer insists that he has no problem getting invigorated for shows despite the demanding tour schedule and displacement from his family.   “When people come to our concerts they expect a top-notch show,” he says. “They expect you to look good, they expect you to sing well and they expect the show to be interesting and emotional. And you owe them that. I want to – and I have to – give my very best every night, because it doesn’t come for free. “I always say that singing is like a tightrope act. Every note you sing has the possibility to fail, so you always have to apply yourself. That challenge every night automatically invigorates me.” Despiteforever being tied to Simon Cowell, Urs insists that the music mogul has “absolutely nothing” to do with the day-to-day running of Il Divo. “He functions as executive producer on the album recordings and that’s it,” says the singer. “We see him once every year or two. Normally he’ll listen to demos and suggest we give certain songs a shot, and he’ll listen to the songs after we’ve been in the studio and say what he likes and what he doesn’t. That’s all he does.” These days, the group also have a greater deal of autonomy when it comes to selecting tracks for their albums. “It’s a co-operation between the four of us, Simon, the producers and the management,” adds Urs. “Everyone is welcome to give suggestions. Simon will decide, but if we don’t agree with anything then we don’t agree. “If there’s something that’s really close to our hearts and Simon doesn’t get it then we normally manage to convince him. That’s how the dynamic works.” Stuck in      ABU DHABI Il Divo’s upcoming UAE show marks the first time they’ve been here since getting stranded in Abu Dhabi during the 2010 eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull, which spewed a huge ash cloud over Europe causing chaos among air passengers. “We came from a show in Kazakhstan, and we were trapped in Abu Dhabi,” Urs remembers. “But that wasn’t the worst place to be! We all just hung out at Emirates Palace hotel for a few days, sat by the pool and enjoyed a good meal. “When you’re travelling all the time, sometimes you want to just completely chill and do nothing, and that’s exactly what we did.” For crying out loud... In 1966, The Beatles decided to stop touring as concerts inevitably descended into a wave of screaming from hysterical fans which drowned out the music. While Urs insists that Il Divo’s wildest fans are “definitely in Mexico”, he recalls a concert in Portugal three years ago when the feverish adulation almost pushed him to a similar breaking point as The Fab Four. “We were stood in front of 12,000 people in Lisbon, and at one point I asked myself, ‘What am I doing up here? Nobody’s listening.’ They were just shouting at us – in appreciation, which was wonderful – but wouldn’t you also like to listen?” says Urs. “It’s fabulous that people love you and what you’re doing, but sometimes it really almost tips over that edge.”

IL DIVO - ITV - The Alan Titchmarsh Show

IL DIVO live BBC Proms in the Park 2012 

Il Divo proud of greatest hits

Il Divo are ''proud'' of their greatest hits album.
The opera quartet - Urs Buhler, Carlos Marin, David Miller and Sebastien Izambard - are set to release a compilation of their best-loved work in November and couldn't be happier with the record, which will also feature four new tracks.
Carlos said: ''I am proud of this greatest hits. I love every song on it. It reminds me of everything we have achieved, to have been together for so many years, still selling so many records, playing so many concerts and making such great music together. It is just fantastic people have supported and enjoyed what we do for so long. It is the love of my life.''
Urs added: ''As a singer you can never take for granted what you do, every note is a balancing act. But every night I step on stage so proud of what we do. I have learned so much these past 8 years, had so many wonderful experiences and cherished every moment. This greatest hits release for us and hopefully our fans marks what has been an incredible journey so far.''
As well as a standard release, 'The Greatest Hits' will also be issued in a two disc gift edition and a limited-edition deluxe package.
The special deluxe package is limited to 3,000 signed copies and contains seven CDs, five DVDs, hard cover book and commemorative opera glasses in an Il Divo embroidered velvet bag.
Il Divo's 'Greatest Hits' is released on November 26.

Il Divo Release Definitive Greatest Hits

18 Tracks Including 4 New Songs Released November 26th on Syco

Spread the Social Love: The one and only Il Divo celebrate eight years of unprecedented global success with the release of their definitive Greatest Hits collection featuring four brand new tracks Nov 26th on Syco.
The world’s first and still the best classical crossover group – Urs Buhler, Carlos Marin, David Miller and Sebastien Izambard – have sold over 26 million albums, enjoyed over 50 number ones, chalked up 160 gold and platinum sales in over 33 countries and staged 4 world tours.

Il Divo have been on one sensational journey since their debut album exploded in November 2004 creating musical history and cementing their place as the first ever classical crossover artists. Their savvy mix of classical and pop have made them worldwide superstars. Last May the UK Classic Brits gave Il Divo the prestigious ‘Artists of the Decade’ Award to mark them spearheading a whole new genre of music.
Their second album, ‘Ancora’, released November 2006 in the UK magnified their success when it was released in the USA, January 2007, it went straight to number one in the Billboard charts, a feat to this day that has not been repeated by any classical or crossover artist.
Similarly they have become a global touring phenomenon, with their first world tour a sell out, playing 68 cities across 18 countries in 2006. Following the Billboard Breakthrough Award for one of the highest grossing tours in 2009, their current fourth world tour sees them perform an incredible 134 shows across 46 countries on 6 continents this year.
Their amazing career knows no bounds. Highlights include appearing at the opening and closing ceremony of the 2006 Fifa World Cup, touring as special guests to Barbra Streisand, a 2009 performance at President Obama’s Purple Inauguration Ball and earlier this year at a special concert for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee at Windsor Castle.
‘Il Divo Greatest Hits’ will be released as a standard 18 track CD and a 2 Disc Gift Edition. Many of the tracks have been chosen by their fans all over the world and include favourites ‘Somewhere’, ‘Unbreak My Heart’, ‘Unchained Melody’ and ‘Adagio’. They’ve also recorded four songs especially for this release: ‘My Heart Will Go On’ (in Italian), ‘I Will Always Love You’ (in Spanish), ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ (English) and ‘Alone’ (Spanish).
The Gift Edition features an additional 13 tracks (see full track listing). A Deluxe Edition will also be available featuring 7 CDs, 5 DVDs, a hard cover book, and commemorative opera glasses in a specially embroidered velvet Il Divo bag.
‘I am proud of this Greatest Hits,” says Carlos. “I love every song on it. It reminds me of everything we have achieved, to have been together for so many years, still selling so many records, playing so many concerts and making such great music together. It is just fantastic people have supported and enjoyed what we do for so long. It is the love of my life.”
Urs says “As a singer you can never take for granted what you do, every note is a balancing act. But every night I step on stage so proud of what we do. I have learned so much these past 8 years, had so many wonderful experiences and cherished every moment. This Greatest Hits release for us and hopefully our fans marks what has been an incredible journey so far.”
Fans round the world wholeheartedly agree with those sentiments.
That beautiful blend of voices has been widely imitated since their inception but never bettered. There is only one original. There is only one Il Divo.
Full Tracklisting for Il Divo – ‘The Greatest Hits’
Standard edition
1. ‘My Heart Will Go On’*
2. ‘I Will Always Love You’ *
3. ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’*
4. ‘Alone’*
5. ‘Unchained Melody’
6. ‘Amazing Grace’
7. ‘Hero’
8. ‘Unbreak My Heart’
9. ‘Somewhere’
10. ‘Passera’
11. ‘All By Myself’
12. ‘Mama’ ‘
13. ‘Adagio’
14. ‘Without You’
15. ‘Caruso’
16. ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’
17. ‘My Way’
18. ‘Time To Say Goodbye’
*new track
Gift edition
Disc 1
18 tracks as per standard
Disc 2
1. ‘Nights In White Satin’
2. ‘Nella Fantasia’
3. ‘Ave Maria’
4. ‘La Vida Sin Amor’
5. ‘Everytime I Look At You’
6. ‘The Power Of Love’
7. ‘You Raise Me Up’
8. ‘Crying’
9. ‘She’
10. ‘Hallelujah’
11. ‘Pour Que Tu M’aimes Encore’
12. ’ The Impossible Dream’ (live)
13. ‘O Holy Night’
Deluxe edition
A full retrospective of the band’s work, containing 7 CDs, 5 DVDs, hard cover book and commemorative opera glasses in an Il Divo embroidered velvet bag. This is limited to 3000 signed copies.

Frenchman Sebastien Izambard, expected in Bucharest on September 23, along with his colleagues from Il Divo, testified that the band has gone through hard times.

 Sebastien IzambardSometimes already beaten paths are the best and most effective solution. That learned the hard way and four members of the band "Il Divo" when it came to record the new album. Came after the success of "The Promise" in 2008 and wanted something as spectacular. But lets wait a let inspiration. "It happened about three years ago. Walked, disciplined, the studio and yet we all feel we have reached a point mort.Parca us around in circles. We were unable to find direction. We do not like songs you already clocking and I wanted to give the album "remembered Frenchman Sebastien Izambard.

 Il Divo,"I felt like" I Do not Want to Miss a Thing "from Aerosmith, goes to" Hurt "Christina Aguilera song was beautifully arranged, but have text too thick," said the artist, who in Like his colleagues, David, Urs and Carlos was pestered by his label once scoada market long-awaited album.
"The pressure was huge. I re-entered the studio and started looking for songs that fit us, "he told Sebastian. Together with the other three members of the band listened to dozens of songs Frenchman gave up "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaac's. "I realized immediately that this was the right song to set the tone for the album. I knew the risk, relying on the past, but it was the right decision, "he remembered Izambard. Slowly, Il Divo has found the way and managed to find songs for the new album, as other than "Wicked Game", and that already sold millions of copies.
On September 23, fans from Romania will be able to see them from the four artists Il Divo in Constitution Square, in an exceptional concert. Tickets to the event cost between 122 and 750 lei.