From Opera to Pop

xrainy · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:14 pm Post subject: From Opera to Pop

from my local paper - The Lincolnshire Echo

Vittorio Grigolo ( 28 ) is one of the most popular talents in opera.
After turning down the chance to join Simon Cowell's 'pop-era' band Il Divo two years ago, Italian-born Vittorio is finally making the crossover on his own with his debut album In The Hands Of Love.
But there is one track in particular that everyone's talking about - his powerful cover of Keane's Bedshaped.
"The idea came when we were talking about my style because I really wanted to challenge what is classical," said Grigolo.
"I'm not a usual tenor, I'm more like a pop singer in my attitude. This is what is really me in real life and not on the stage. They showed me the song and I thought, how is that going to sound with violins and oboe and all the classical instruments? It was amazing when I heard the arrangement and everything was put together. It was incredible and very strong and more powerful than the original."
Grigolo is currently busy touring but he says he can rely on his mum on the rare occasions he makes it home.
"I'm travelling a lot and I'll go by a plane from Barcelona to Italy and go home very quickly to change. My mother said 'This is your house, not a hotel!' I just give her things to wash then go."
His debut album is out on Monday but Grigolo says he is not nervous.
"It's incredible. I'm not nervous about it because we did a great job. This is not really a job to me, it's a passion," he said.
"I'm very happy because in my life I can do what I really like. For me that's very important. I think it's important for everybody. If your work is your passion then you can do it 10 times better. It's amazing to have done an album and see the power of the media so that my voice will be around the world. That's very nice."
Il Divo have found success around Europe so does Grigolo have any regrets about not joining the group?
"None at all. I wanted to prove myself as a tenor, not to myself, but to the people in Italy and Barcelona. I didn't want to move only because I had the big chance. It wasn't the right moment. Nowadays I want to bring pop people to opera and opera people to pop."

comes with quite a cute photo, but my scanner's playing up Rolling Eyes

xcept · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:24 pm Post subject:

thanks rainy, great find Smile

xrainy · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:32 pm Post subject:

your welcome,

and I had to type it out cos of the pesky scanner haha

Will scan pic as soon as i can tho Very Happy

xcept · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:58 pm Post subject:

You typed ALL THAT OUT? WOW! Very Happy

A HUGE thanks then rainy, that's brilliant!

Penny · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 94

Thanks so much for typing that up for us Rainy !!!! Vittorio is going to be huge in this country (and global) - he is getting SO much promotion and his album is currently No 1 in Amazon`s pre-release chart and also No 4 now in their top 100 albums !!!

Stephanie · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 66

thank you for the article rainy.

bud · Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 26 Location: south east

Rainy that was good of you to type that all, thanks. Very Happy

He does seem to have it all going for him. Laughing

Quawkers · Joined: Jan 05, 2006 Posts: 265 Location: Duckland - Bucks

Thanks rainy. playing the cd as I type what a lovely voice Vittorio has Very Happy