In The Hands Of Love - Vittorio Grigolo

New ‘bambino’ on the block Vittorio Grigolo’s debut album ‘In The Hands Of Love’ is released later this month. ClassicalX’s Tracey Bell kicks off her designer Italian shoes, pours herself an espresso and snuggles up to the velvet tones of someone who may well turn out to be one of the hottest Italian exports since Pavarotti.

A soloist in the Sistine Chapel Choir at nine, dubbed “Il Pavarottino” by the Italian press after performing with the man himself at just 12 and the youngest Italian tenor ever to sing at Milan’s La Scala at 23, the 28-year-old is very much the opera singer’s opera singer. So what kind of debut album can you expect from a busy and seemingly well respected 'working' tenor?

Released Monday 13 March ‘In The Hands Of Love’ boasts no less than nine original songs out of the 14 tracks featured - an unusual choice to make when looking to get a foothold in a genre already jam packed with talent. Surely the safest option would have been to release an album full of tried and tested winners? It's a brave decision and one that I feel will really pay off for Grigolo and his label Polydor.

Recently Polydor’s Co-President, Colin Barlow said: “Vittorio has the most amazing voice I’ve heard in 22 years in A&R. The album he has recorded for us is a lot more mainstream than anything he has done before, though it has lost none of the passion and drama of his ‘day job’ as a tenor”.

As someone that listens to lot of classical crossover, there aren't many new songs I end up singing along to after listening to them twice, but with ‘In the hands of love’ - I just couldn’t help myself. Grigolo's warm and expressive tones even made me forget how much I hate West Side Story's 'Maria'!

One of my absolute favourite songs Tu Sei' sounded fresh and revived, I hung onto every word and 'You are my miracle' – a duet with Katherine Jenkins is a real treat too. Their voices work so well together.

Reworking classic ‘pop’ tracks doesn’t always work in the classical crossover genre but Grigolo’s version of Keane's 'Bedshaped' more than survived. I loved it.

However I didn't fall for every song. I couldn't warm to the title track 'In he hands of love' and if truth were told a couple of others reminded me of early 80s ballads. That said, as there are so many high points in this album, I'm more than willing to keep listening to see if they'll 'grow on me'.

As an artist Vittorio Grigolo has it all! A voice to die for, a true understanding of his talent and sleek Italian looks. (Is it just me or does he have more than a passing but 'rugged' resemblance to Orlando Bloom? For each person who just thought 'that's totally irrelevant', ten others have laughed and agreed!)

'In the Hands of love' is full of Italian emotion and expression. It’s mellow without dragging and where necessary romantic without resorting to the sin of being 'slushy'. This is without doubt a great beginning to what will become a very successful artist.

Added: March 12th 2006
Reviewer: Tracey Bell
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