Il Divo

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Il Divo

| image = Il Divo 2012.jpg

| image_upright =

| caption = Il Divo at the Sydney Opera House in 2012

| origin = Multi-national (tenors from France, Switzerland, Spain until 2021 and the United States)

| genre = {{hlist|Classical crossover|operatic pop|folk|bolero|mambo|tango}}

| years_active = 2003–present

| label = {{hlist|Sony|Syco|Columbia|Universal Music Group}}

| website = {{URL|ildivo.com}}

| current_members =

| past_members = * Carlos Marín

}}

Il Divo ({{IPA|it|il ˈdiːvo}}; {{Trans|"The Star"}}) are a multinational classical crossover vocal group. Formed in the United Kingdom in 2003, it is a male quartet that was created and then promoted by British media magnate Simon Cowell for Syco Music, a record label that he had administered.{{cite news|last=Caplan|first=David|title=FIRST LISTEN: Il Divo Sings 'Hallelujah'|newspaper=People|date=23 October 2008|archivedate=8 February 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208042845/https://people.com/people/article/0,,20235354,00.html|url=https://people.com/people/article/0,,20235354,00.html}} The group currently consists of Swiss tenor Urs Bühler, American tenor David Miller, French tenor Sébastien Izambard, and American baritone Steven LaBrie. It previously included Spanish baritone Carlos Marín until his death in 2021 from COVID-19 and later replacement by LaBrie on a permanent basis in 2023.

As of 2021, the group has released ten studio albums: Il Divo (2004), The Christmas Collection (2005), Ancora (2005), Siempre (2006), The Promise (2008), Wicked Game (2011), A Musical Affair (2013), Amor & Pasión (2015), Timeless (2018), and For Once in My Life: A Celebration of Motown (2021); as well as a compilation album, The Greatest Hits (2012). Two other albums – An Evening with Il Divo: Live in Barcelona (2009) and Live in Japan (2014) – presented recordings of live concerts. The group has also collaborated with multiple other musical artists, with Barbra Streisand and Lea Salonga being examples.

Both the group's concerts and its studio releases are known for featuring a variety of languages. Examples include media in French (such as with "Pour Que Tu M'aimes Encore"), in Italian (such as with "Nella Fantasia"), and in Spanish (such with "Isabel"), with most of Il Divo's performances involving the Romance languages. The vocalists have additionally attracted notice due to their public image; for instance, they have almost exclusively worn suits by Giorgio Armani during their concerts and other social affairs.

Since its inception, Il Divo has enjoyed significant commercial success, with the group selling over thirty million copies of their albums worldwide as of 2018. An Australian news article has noted that, "[w]hile other copycat" type "bands were formed after Il Divo’s success", "most [of them] have split" and additionally Il Divo stands out due to the vocalists proactive choices in managing their output, such as with the tenor Miller directing the music video for their song "Hola".{{citenews|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/melbourne/il-divo-step-out-from-their-puppetmaster-simon-cowell/news-story/5a52e76b06aedf6e9ccf24c241d5c0cd|title=Il Divo step out from their puppetmaster Simon Cowell|first=Cameron|last=Adams|date=7 October 2018|accessdate=11 December 2024|newspaper=Herald Sun}} With 160 certified gold and platinum hits in 35 countries, the group has pioneered the genre of operatic pop, or "popera", in classical crossover music.

Il Divo's live concerts sold over two million concert tickets worldwide just from the group's first four albums. In its first world tour, concerts in 69 cities in 18 countries were sold out.{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/es/band/il-divo|title=Para cuatro jóvenes ha sido un viaje increíble.|website=ildivo.com|access-date=31 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712095035/http://www.ildivo.com/es/band/il-divo|archive-date=12 July 2015|url-status=dead}}

Members

Il Divo was composed of four singers:{{cite web |date=12 July 2006 |title=Il Divo se integra con el barítono español Carlos; el tenor americano David; el cantautor francés Sébastien; y el ex rockero suizo Urs. |url=http://www.hola.com/musica/2006071240497/musica/ildivo/boda/ |website=hola.com}} former child performer, television and recording artist, and classical baritone Carlos Marin, born in Germany but raised in Spain; two classically trained tenors, Urs Bühler from Switzerland, and David Miller from the USA; and pop singer-songwriter Sébastien Izambard, from France. After Marín's death in late 2021, fellow baritone Steven LaBrie, from the US, joined the band as a special guest on tour before being announced as a full-time member of the group on 17 August 2023.

Conception and name

The idea behind Il Divo came when Simon Cowell, inspired after listening to the Three Tenors, decided to form a multinational quartet of talented young singers to recreate the quality of Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras, and Placido Domingo. Cowell searched worldwide for young singers who were willing to embark on the project from 21 January 2001, to 16 December 2003, when Miller was signed.{{cite news|last=Mansey|first=Kate|title=Auditioned for opera-style band Il Divo but was not selected. |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/X-TRA+SPECIAL%3B+Kate+Mansey+meets+the+boy+band+with+the+manners+of...-a0132185003|access-date=10 December 2013|newspaper=Liverpool Echo|date=6 May 2005}} Prior to Il Divo, each member enjoyed moderate success individually.{{cite web|url=http://www.musica.com/letras.asp?info=10082&biografia=16248&idf=5|title=Desde Reino Unido llega un nuevo grupo musical. Que mezcla la música lírica con el pop.|website=música.com|year=2015|language=es}}

Career

=2004–2006=

File:IL Divo inHK.JPG

The first album, Il Divo, was recorded in February 2004 in Sweden.{{cite web|url=http://www.larazon.es/cultura/musica/il-divo-divinos-y-humanos-JN7791029#.Ttt15GR6Mv4kSHi/|title=Il Divo: Divinos y humanos|date=30 October 2014|website=larazon.es}} The album was released on 1 November 2004 in three countries: the UK, Norway and Ireland. In the first few weeks the group achieved double platinum in Norway and Ireland.{{Cite web|title=IL Divo...The Divinity of Pure Incandescent Passion|url=http://www.artchateau.com/Style/Profiles/IL-Divo-The-Divinity-of-Pure-Incandescent-Passion.html|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Art Chateau: The World's Finest Luxury Art & Li|language=en}} On 19 April 2005 the album was released in the United States and Spain.{{cite web|url=http://www.lasnoticiasmexico.com/4359.html|title=El grupo internacional Il Divo anunció hoy en Ciudad de México su primera gira de conciertos 2006, en la que visitará Estados Unidos, Europa, Latinoamérica y parte de Asia.|website=lasnoticiasmexico.com|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930122720/http://www.lasnoticiasmexico.com/4359.html|url-status=dead}}

Il Divo was launched in fall 2004 with the single "Regresa a mí", debuting with the first album of the same name. The group filmed the music video for the song in Slovenia.{{cite web|url =http://www.ildivo.com/uk/news/il-divo-world-tour-japan-0|title =Il Divo también canta en Japonés, se atreve a versionar la famosa canción japonesa "Furusato"|website=todomusica.org|access-date =16 August 2015|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150427110916/http://www.ildivo.com/uk/news/il-divo-world-tour-japan-0|archive-date =27 April 2015|url-status =dead}}{{cite web |url= http://www.todomusica.org/il_divo/|title =Biografía de Il Divo|website=todomusica.org}}

In December 2004, Il Divo held its first concert at Gotham Hall in New York. The group performed five songs from the album live. The concert was made into a film that became the group's first DVD release, Live at Gotham Hall.

On 23 May 2005, the group released Mama, which features the second official video of the song "Mama" recorded in Tropea, Italy.{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/video/il-divo-mama/13513|title=Videoclip – Mamá|website=artistdirect.com|access-date=31 July 2015|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923004515/http://www.artistdirect.com/video/il-divo-mama/13513|url-status=dead}}{{Failed verification|date=March 2022}}

On 24 January 2006, Sony BMG released Encore, a concert at the Roman Theatre in Mérida, Spain, recorded on 7 October 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/mx/music/encore-dvd|title=IL Divo – Encore. Teatro Romano de Mérida in Spain|website=ildivo.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923181731/http://www.ildivo.com/mx/music/encore-dvd|archive-date=23 September 2015}}

On 25 October 2005, the group released their second studio album The Christmas Collection in seven countries: the United States, Canada, Austria, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland.{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/es/music/christmas-collection|title=The Christmas Collection of Il Divo|website=ildivo.com|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923091248/http://www.ildivo.com/es/music/christmas-collection|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}{{Failed verification|date=January 2023|reason=The source gives the release year only, with no date or mention of the countries it was released in.}}

Il Divo's third studio album, Ancora, was released in Europe on 7 November 2005. In the United States and Latin America it was released on 24 January 2006. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in its first week of release in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.everythingzoomer.com/7-things-might-know-il-divo/7/#.VIEwpTGG-z4|title=Top of the Pops: Il Divo|website=everythingzoomer.com}}

On 9 June 2006, Il Divo gave a live performance of the official 2006 FIFA World Cup song, "The Time of Our Lives", with Toni Braxton, at half-time during the opening match between Germany and Costa Rica, and again at the closing ceremony on 9 July.{{cite web |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060214/1/625n.html |title= Il Divo to perform Official Song "Time of Our Lives"|website=fifaworldcup.yahoo.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220202842/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060214/1/625n.html |archive-date=20 February 2006}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16862049&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=fiona--divo--name_page.html|title=News: latest stories, exclusives, opinion & analysis – Mirror Online|website=Dailymirror.co.uk|access-date=1 June 2017}}

Il Divo have been on several world tours and have received 50 gold and platinum discs. Their last tour in 2014 covered five continents and over 33 countries. Having completed a six-month tour of the United States, Australia, and Europe, Il Divo participated in Streisand as Barbra Streisand's special guests. The tour was ranked second for all tours during 2006, generating $92.5 million in gross sales.

File:JaySingapore1.jpg, concert in Singapore Indoor Stadium 18 January 2007]]

After the release of Ancora, the group spent almost half their time as the bestselling act in Europe, building on the success they achieved with their debut self-titled album.{{cite web|url=http://los40.com/los40/2006/01/19/actualidad/1137625200_283878.html|title=Il Divo no se inmuta y continúa en el nº1 de superventas|date=19 January 2006|website=los40.com}} Throughout the Christmas period in 2006, Il Divo held the top spot in the list of best-selling albums.{{cite web|url=http://los40.com/los40/2006/02/02/actualidad/1138834800_284055.html|title=Il Divo recupera esta semana el primer puesto de la lista de álbumes que ostentó durante todo el periodo navideño|date=2 February 2006|website=los40.com}}

Il Divo was named the Most Multinational UK No.1 Album Group in the 2006 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.{{cite web|url=http://filmtvzone.com/videos/details/482092|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141125011020/http://filmtvzone.com/videos/details/482092|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 November 2014|title=Il Divo. Cuatro estrellas registradas en el Libro Guinness de los Récords|website=filmtvzone.com|year=2006}}

=2006–2010=

File:Il Divo Ahoy Rdam 02jul07.JPG, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2 July 2007]]

On 7 November 2006 the group released their first compilation, Il Divo Collezione.{{cite web|url=http://los40.com/los40/2007/02/12/actualidad/1171234800_287790.html|title=Il Divo iniciará la gira europea de 'Siempre' el 28 de abril en Valencia|date=12 February 2007|website=los40.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hola.com/musica/2007032040852/musica/resultados/il/divo/|title=Sébastien Izambard, el más atractivo de 'Il Divo' según los internautas de hola.com|website=hola.com}}

On 27 November 2006 they released their fourth studio album, Siempre, recorded during their previous world tour.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} On 16 January 2007, Il Divo began a tour to promote Siempre in Asia, Australia, Latin America Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Venezuela.{{cite web|url=http://www.conciertos10.com/concierto-il-divo-en-vivo|title=Precioso repertorio de Canciones interpretadas por Il Divo en Vivo, todo un concierto 5 estrellas|website=conciertos10.com|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210119/http://www.conciertos10.com/concierto-il-divo-en-vivo/|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}} On 21 November 2006 Il Divo released the Live at the Greek Theater DVD featuring the live concert held on 22 June 2006 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles as part of the 2006 world tour. This recording includes all the songs that had established the group's popularity and an unedited version of the famous song "Somewhere".{{cite web|url=http://es.myplaydirect.com/il-divo/live-at-the-greek-dvd/details/25795942?feature-name=dvds&feature=25812760|title=Live at the Greek Theater|website=ildivo.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926063035/http://es.myplaydirect.com/il-divo/live-at-the-greek-dvd/details/25795942?feature-name=dvds&feature=25812760|archive-date=26 September 2015}}

On 11 November 2008 the group released their fifth album, The Promise. The album's presentation was held at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya on 30 October, where Il Divo performed five songs from the new album.{{cite web|url=http://www.todomusicales.com/content/content.php?id_content=579|title=Il Divo seduce en el estreno mundial de The promise en Barcelona|website=todomusicales.com|date=11 November 2008}}

At the Coliseum was released on 8 November 2008. It includes Il Divo's concert at the Roman Colosseum in Pula, Croatia.{{cite web|url=http://es.myplaydirect.com/il-divo/live-at-the-coliseum-dvd/details/25795940?feature-name=you-might-also-like&feature=25994359|title=Il Divo at the Coliseum|website=ildivo.com|date=8 November 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923060403/http://es.myplaydirect.com/il-divo/live-at-the-coliseum-dvd/details/25795940?feature-name=you-might-also-like&feature=25994359|archive-date=23 September 2015}}

On 12 December 2008, Il Divo performed at the finals of Idol 2008 in the Stockholm Globe Arena.{{cite web|url=http://www.expressen.se/noje/il-divo-gastar-idolfinalen/|title=Il Divo gästar idolfinalen|website=expressen.se|date=9 December 2008 }} On 20 January 2009 they performed at the Purple Heart Inauguration Ball in Washington DC for Barack Obama.{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/es/band/il-divo|title=Il Divo actúa en la 'Purple Inauguration Ball' para el presidente de los Estados Unidos|website=ildivo.com|access-date=31 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712095035/http://www.ildivo.com/es/band/il-divo|archive-date=12 July 2015|url-status=dead}} Il Divo's 2009 tour, An Evening with Il Divo, was their most geographically extensive, with more than 130 dates across six continents, visiting 31 countries and 81 cities, earning them the Billboard Breakthrough Award for the highest-grossing tour of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.sony.com/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-columbia-records/2011/il-divo-announce-north-american-leg-of-the-classic.html?icid=pr-newswire-feed|title=Il DIvo Announce North American Leg of the Classical Crossover Quartet's 2012 World Tour|website=sony.com|access-date=21 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923171722/http://www.sony.com/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-columbia-records/2011/il-divo-announce-north-american-leg-of-the-classic.html?icid=pr-newswire-feed|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

On 1 December 2009, the first live album An Evening with Il Divo: Live in Barcelona went public.{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/es/music/evening-il-divo-live-barcelona|title=An Evening with Il Divo: Live in Barcelona|website=ildivo.com|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923143409/http://www.ildivo.com/es/music/evening-il-divo-live-barcelona|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}} The DVD + CD set includes "Bridge Over Trouble Water" and "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha.

They ended 2009 with their first Christmas special intimate show, Celebrate Christmas with Il Divo, which included a traditional repertoire of favourite festive songs with an orchestra and special guests in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

They started with two concerts at the Hammersmith Apollo in London on 7 and 8 December with violinist Vanessa-Mae and singer Camilla Kerslake, ending in the United States with six more concerts.{{cite web|url=http://www.todomusicales.com/content/content/1619/il-divo-publica-il-divo-en-barcelona-nuevo-cd-dvd-grabado-en-el-palau-sant-jordi/|title=Celebrate Christmas With Il Divo|website=todomusicales.com|year=2009}}

On 19 October 2010, Sony Music released The Yule Log: The Christmas Collection.{{cite web|url=http://es.myplaydirect.com/il-divo/christmas-collection-the-yule-log-dvd/details/25795941?feature-name=dvds&feature=25812760|title=Christmas Collection. The Yule Log|website=ildivo.com|year=2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207201101/http://es.myplaydirect.com/il-divo/christmas-collection-the-yule-log-dvd/details/25795941?feature-name=dvds&feature=25812760|archive-date=7 December 2014}}

=Artist of the Decade=

File:Il Divo in feb 2012.jpg

On 11 May 2011, Il Divo were invited to the Classic Brit Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London to receive the award for "Artist of the Decade". The award recognised the impact the operatic group had had in the classical genre, having sold over 25 million albums worldwide between 2004 and 2011.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

On 8 November 2011, Wicked Game was released.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

On 20 December 2011 in Paraguay, the quartet gave a concert in the Defensores del Chaco stadium for 33,900 people, closing the Bicentenary of the Independence of Paraguay.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.com.py/espectaculos/il-divo-celebro-en-concierto-el-bicentenario-del-paraguay-347050.html|title=Il Divo celebró en concierto el Bicentenario del Paraguay|website=abc.com.py}} On 13 May 2012, Il Divo performed "Caruso" during the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II at Windsor for the entire royal family.{{cite web|url=http://jubileoreinaisabel.hola.com/diamante-2012/201205142083/reina-jubileo-diamante-espectaculo-windsor/|title=Windsor celebra el Jubileo de Diamante de forma espectacular co Il Divo|website=ubileoreinaisabel.hola.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518013846/http://jubileoreinaisabel.hola.com/diamante-2012/201205142083/reina-jubileo-diamante-espectaculo-windsor|archive-date=18 May 2012}} In 2008, Il Divo performed at the Olympic torch handover party leading up to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/london-olympics-2012-gordon-brown-330605|title=London Olympics 2012: Gordon Brown promises greatest rock concert ever |last=Owens |first=Nick |date=24 August 2008 |website=mirror.co.uk}}

Live in London, a 90-minute Il Divo concert at the London Coliseum, was published in mid-2011.{{cite web|url=http://es.myplaydirect.com/il-divo/live-in-london-dvd/details/26591641?feature-name=dvds&feature=25812760|title=Live at the London Coliseum|website=myplaydirect.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925060157/http://es.myplaydirect.com/il-divo/live-in-london-dvd/details/26591641?feature-name=dvds&feature=25812760|archive-date=25 September 2015}}

File:Il Divo, 2012.jpg

Il Divo & Orchestra in Concert World Tour was a worldwide tour of the six continents between May and September 2012. It was designed by creative director Brian Burke, who stated that "Il Divo is the perfect modern fusion of opera, theater, and concert. It is a privilege as a director to create a visual landscape inviting the audience on a theatrical journey of their music."{{Cite web|title=IL DIVO Announce North American Leg of the Classical Crossover Quartet's 2012 World Tour|url=https://www.sony.com/content/sony/en/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-music-entertainment/2011/il-divo-announce-north-american-leg-of-the-classical-crossover-quartets-2012-world-tour.html|access-date=2022-01-18|website=www.sony.com|language=en-US}}

In November 2012, Il Divo released The Greatest Hits.{{cite web |url=http://www.ildivo.com/uk/music/greatest-hits-deluxe-limited-edition |title=The Greatest Hits – Deluxe Limited Edition | The Official Il Divo Site |website=Ildivo.com |access-date=19 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601112747/http://www.ildivo.com/uk/music/greatest-hits-deluxe-limited-edition |archive-date=1 June 2013}}

=Il Divo on Broadway=

The group's seventh album, A Musical Affair, was released on 5 November 2013. The songs featured arrangements tailored to the singers' voices. To promote the album, they held a concert at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway from 7 to 13 November 2013, called Il Divo – A Musical Affair: The Greatest Songs of Broadway.{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/es/news/il-divo-en-broadway|title=Il Divo: traer un espectáculo a un teatro de Broadway en Nueva York será una experiencia única|website=ildivo.com|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033919/http://www.ildivo.com/es/news/il-divo-en-broadway|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

File:Il Divo en concierto en 2014-2.jpg

The world tour began in Japan in February 2014 and travelled around the world, ending on 1 November 2014 at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London.{{cite web|url=http://primacia.org/index.php/espectaculos/3401-il-divo-nuevo-disco-y-gira-a-musical-affair|title=Il Divo, nuevo disco y gira 'A Musical Affair'|website=primacia.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923172817/http://primacia.org/index.php/espectaculos/3401-il-divo-nuevo-disco-y-gira-a-musical-affair|archive-date=23 September 2015}} On 19 July 2014, Il Divo sold out Edinburgh Castle, giving a concert featuring "Amazing Grace".{{cite web|url=http://www.apmusicales.com/festivales-de-verano-il-divo-en-edinburgh-castle/|title=Festivales de verano: Il Divo en Edinburgh Castle|website=apmusicales.com|date=7 August 2014|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005055330/http://www.apmusicales.com/festivales-de-verano-il-divo-en-edinburgh-castle/|url-status=dead}}

On 24 November 2014, a special edition of A Musical Affair was released, which includes new songs with French singers, partially or fully sung in French. On 1 December 2014, Live in Japan was released, which contains the A Musical Affair tour filmed at the Nippon Budokan Theater in Tokyo on 11 March 2014. The Japanese version includes the songs "Flowers Will Bloom" and "Furusato".

In 2014, on the 10th anniversary of the publication of their first album, the group sold over 28 million albums worldwide, achieving more than 50 number one sales and receiving 160 gold records and platinum in over 33 countries.{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/madrid/2014/11/04/5457fcdae2704e0e388b4584.html|title=Il Divo acerca Broadway a Madrid|date=4 November 2014|website=elmundo.esl}}

On 23 March 2015, it was announced that Il Divo was the winner of the 2015 Silver Clef Award, giving them the Classic PPL Nordoff Robbins Classical Award. The gala award ceremony took place on 3 July at the Grosvenor House Hotel.{{cite web|url=http://www.music-news.com/ShowNews.asp?nItemID=88178|title=Il Divo crowned Silver Clef winners|website=music-news.com|date=23 March 2015}}

=''Amor & Pasión''=

Through Syco Music, on 6 November 2015 in Europa, 27 November in America and 25 October in Japan, Il Divo released Amor & Pasión.{{cite news|url=http://www.ildivo.com/uk/news/il-divo%E2%80%99s-new-album-amor-pasi%C3%B3n |title=Il Divo's new album Amor & Pasión |website=ildivo.com |date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925105848/http://www.ildivo.com/uk/news/il-divo%E2%80%99s-new-album-amor-pasi%C3%B3n |archive-date=25 September 2015 }}{{Primary source inline|date=March 2022}}

On 21 October, Il Divo performed the first public appearance to promote the sixth album on the program Despierta America, the US network Univision, from Miami, playing his first single "Si voy a perderte (Don't Wanna Lose You)".{{cite web|url=http://ildivo4ever.net/il-divo-at-despierta-america-with-si-voy-a-perderte-21-10-2015/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027040951/http://ildivo4ever.net/il-divo-at-despierta-america-with-si-voy-a-perderte-21-10-2015/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 October 2015|title=Il Divo at Despierta America with Si Voy a Perderte – 21.10.2015|website=ildivo4ever.net|date=21 October 2015}} They then performed the song "Bésame mucho" in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/ildivo/info/460587|title=IL DIVOが「アモール＆パシオン」（10/28発売）のプロモーションのため来日します！|website=sonymusic.co.jp|date=30 October 2015|language=ja}} They started the month of November in London, where they attended the second Music Industry Trust Awards.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34702598|title=Simon Cowell presented with music industry award|work=BBC News|date=2 November 2015}}

Amor & Pasión debuted atop the US Latin Albums chart, with 5,000 copies sold in America in the first week, according to Billboard.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/6777050/il-divo-amor-pasion-number-1-latin-albums-chart|title=Il Divo's 'Amor & Pasion' Debuts at No. 1 on Latin Albums Chart|website=billboard.com|date=10 December 2015|language=es}} In Spain, the album debuted at number 10 on the Top 100 Álbumes list.{{cite web|url=http://www.elportaldemusica.es/album-11393-il-divo-amor-and-pasion|title=En España Il Divo debuta en la primera semana del lanzamiento del álbum Amor & Pasión en el décimo puesto de ventas de la lista española Top 100 Álbumes|website=elportaldemusica.es|date=10 December 2015|language=es|access-date=14 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222094857/http://www.elportaldemusica.es/album-11393-il-divo-amor-and-pasion|url-status=dead}}

=Death of Carlos Marin=

Carlos Marin died of COVID-19 on 19 December 2021.{{cite web |title=Il Divo singer Carlos Marin dies aged 53 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59722285 |website=BBC News |access-date=19 December 2021 |date=19 December 2021}} As a tribute, Il Divo performed a Greatest Hits Tour in 2022, with Mexican-American baritone Steven LaBrie joining the group, but not as a member at that time.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-10 |title=Steven Labrie Joins Il Divo on U.S.Tour |url=https://operawire.com/steven-labrie-joins-il-divo-on-u-s-tour/ |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=Opera Wire |language=en-US}}

=Notable performances=

In 2008, Il Divo performed on the occasion of the Olympic torch hand-over four years prior to the 2012 Summer Olympics.
On 12 December 2008, Il Divo performed at the Swedish Idol 2008 finale in the Globen Arena in Stockholm.{{cite news|last=Parkström|first=Sara|title=Il Divo gästar idolfinalen |url=http://www.expressen.se/noje/il-divo-gastar-idolfinalen/|access-date=10 December 2013|newspaper=Expressen |date=9 December 2008|language=sv}}
20 January 2009 they performed at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball in Washington, D.C., for US President Barack Obama.{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/es/band/il-divo|title=Il Divo actúa en la 'Purple Inauguration Ball' para el presidente de los Estados Unidos|website=ildivo.com|year=2009|access-date=31 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712095035/http://www.ildivo.com/es/band/il-divo|archive-date=12 July 2015|url-status=dead}}
The Paraguay show was Il Divo's largest-capacity performance to date and took place on 20 December 2011, at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asuncion, for 33,900 people.{{cite news|last=Branco|first=Marlene Aponte|title=Polca, guarania y ópera en una cálida noche de festejo patrio|url=http://www.abc.com.py/articulos/polca-guarania-y-opera-en-una-calida-noche-de--festejo-patrio-347164.html|access-date=10 December 2013|newspaper=Diario ABC Color|date=21 December 2011|language=es}}{{cite news|last=Coronel|first=Jorge|title=Il Divo celebró en concierto el Bicentenario del Paraguay|url=http://www.abc.com.py/espectaculos/il-divo-celebro-en-concierto-el-bicentenario-del-paraguay-347050.html|access-date=10 December 2013|newspaper=Diario ABC Color|date=21 December 2011|language=es}}
On 13 May 2012, the group performed during the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II at Windsor for the entire royal family of the United Kingdom.{{cite news|url =http://jubileoreinaisabel.hola.com/diamante-2012/201205142083/reina-jubileo-diamante-espectaculo-windsor/|title =Windsor celebra el Jubileo de Diamante de forma espectacula|website=hola.com |url-status=dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120518013846/http://jubileoreinaisabel.hola.com/diamante-2012/201205142083/reina-jubileo-diamante-espectaculo-windsor |date=14 May 2012 |archive-date=18 May 2012}}
On 19 July 2014, Il Divo performed before a capacity crowd at Edinburgh Castle esplanade where a pop festival took place ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The group performed "Amazing Grace".{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p023b2l2|title=Il Divo – Amazing Grace live at Edinburgh Castle, Live at Edinburgh Castle – BBC One |website=BBC |access-date=1 June 2017}}
On 5 July 2015, while recording their eighth album, Il Divo performed at the Astana Concert Hall in Astana, Kazakhstan, in honour of the 17th anniversary of the Day of Capital.{{cite news|url=http://www.ildivo.com/es/band/il-divo|title=Reseña concierto de IL DIVO en Kazajistan|access-date=31 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712095035/http://www.ildivo.com/es/band/il-divo|archive-date=12 July 2015|url-status=dead}}

=Collaborations=

In 2009, they performed "Sortilegio de amor" for the soundtrack of the telenovela Sortilegio, which earned them nominations and awards at the Mexico TvyNovelas Awards for Best Musical Theme for "Sortilegio".{{cite web|url=http://www.tvyespectaculos.com/2010/02/08/nominados-a-los-premios-tvynovelas-2010/|title=Il Divo nominados a los Premios TvYNovelas 2010|website=vyespectaculos.com|year=2011|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002072554/http://www.tvyespectaculos.com/2010/02/08/nominados-a-los-premios-tvynovelas-2010/|archive-date=2 October 2011|url-status=dead}}
In 2013 they recorded a duet with Engelbert Humperdinck entitled "Spanish Eyes".{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/engelbert-humperdinck-records-duet-il-divo-20131222|title=The Engelbert Humperdinck 2014 duets album has a new star act. Il Divo have re-recorded Engelbert's classic 'Spanish Eyes' with the legendary singer.|date=22 December 2013|website=noise11.com}}
In 2015 Il Divo recorded a duet with Juan Gabriel entitled "Amor Eterno" (Eternal Love).{{cite news|url=http://www.debate.com.mx/show/Los-18-duetos-en-la-nueva-produccion-de-Juan-Gabriel-20150111-0061.html|title=Los 18 duetos en la nueva producción de Juan Gabriel|website=debate.com.mx|date=11 January 2015}}
In December 2015, the version of "Ode to Joy" sung by Il Divo was chosen to be the main theme of the soundtrack of the 2016 Japanese film Everest.{{cite web|url=http://everest-movie.jp/|title=Konichiwa Japan, some great news! Il Divo are thrilled to announce that the track 'Ode to Joy' will be the theme song for the upcoming movie 'Everest'!|website=everest-movie.jp|date=December 2015|language=ja|access-date=14 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016021013/http://www.everest-movie.jp/|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=dead}}

=Tours=

2004: Il Divo Tour{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/za/band/il-divo|title=For four young men it has been an incredible journey|website=ildivo.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721053832/http://www.ildivo.com/za/band/il-divo|archive-date=21 July 2015}}
2006: Streisand: The Tour{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58157/streisand-taking-il-divo-on-fall-tour|title=Streisand Taking Il Divo on Fall Tour|website=billboard.com }}{{cite web|url=http://www.hola.com/musica/2007022840811/musica/il/divo1/|title=Il Divo: 'Ha habido sus más y sus menos, pero ahora somos como hermanos'|date=28 February 2007|website=hola.com }} and Il Divo 2006 World Tour, Ancora{{cite web|url=http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/artist/il-divo|title=Il Divo tickets, concerts, tour dates, upcoming gigs|website=eventfinda.co.nz }}
2007: Il Divo World Tour{{cite web|url=http://www.metroradioarena.co.uk/events/1009/il-divo/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150821183733/http://www.metroradioarena.co.uk/events/1009/il-divo/|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 August 2015|title=Il Divo {{!}} Metro Radio Arena|website=metroradioarena.co.uk}}
2008: Il Divo Global Tour{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/arts-culture_il-divo-back-with-the-promise_160733.html|title=Il Divo back with 'The Promise'|website=todayszaman.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109212042/http://www.todayszaman.com/arts-culture_il-divo-back-with-the-promise_160733.html|archive-date=9 January 2016}}
2009: An Evening with Il Divo – World Tour{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/an-evening-with-il-divo-live-in-barcelona-mw0001792060|title=An Evening with Il Divo: Live in Barcelona – Il Divo {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic}} and Celebrate Christmas with Il Divo{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/es/band/il-divo|title=Celebrate Christmas with Il Divo|website=ildivo.com|access-date=31 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712095035/http://www.ildivo.com/es/band/il-divo|archive-date=12 July 2015|url-status=dead}}
2011: Il Divo Tour, Wicked Game{{cite web|url=http://www.sony.com/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-columbia-records/2011/il-divo-announce-north-american-leg-of-the-classic.html?icid=pr-newswire-feed|title=IL DIVO Announce North American Leg of the Classical Crossover Quartet's 2012 World Tour|website=sony.com|access-date=21 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923171722/http://www.sony.com/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-columbia-records/2011/il-divo-announce-north-american-leg-of-the-classic.html?icid=pr-newswire-feed|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}
2012: Il Divo & Orchestra in Concert – World Tour{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/hu/node/9435?page=5|title=Il Divo & Orchestra in Concert Tour Mundial|website=ildivo.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213231426/http://www.ildivo.com/hu/node/9435?page=5|archive-date=13 December 2014}}
2013: A Musical Affair en el Teatro Marquis de Broadway{{cite web|url=http://primacia.org/index.php/espectaculos/3401-il-divo-nuevo-disco-y-gira-a-musical-affair|title=Il Divo, Nuevo Disco y Gira 'A Musical Affair'|website=primacia.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923172817/http://primacia.org/index.php/espectaculos/3401-il-divo-nuevo-disco-y-gira-a-musical-affair|archive-date=23 September 2015}}
2014: A Musical Affair Tour{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/uk/news/il-divos-budokan-show-tomorrow-will-be-broadcast-live-7pm-japan-time-wowow-tv|title=Il Divo's Budokan Show Tomorrow Will Be Broadcast Live at 7PM Japan Time on WOWOW TV|website=ildivo.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034231/http://www.ildivo.com/uk/news/il-divos-budokan-show-tomorrow-will-be-broadcast-live-7pm-japan-time-wowow-tv|archive-date=24 September 2015}} and The Best of Il Divo – World Tour{{cite web|url=http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/colleenjurkiewicz/sebastien051113.html|title=Ten minutes with Il Divo singer Sebastien Izambard|date=11 May 2013|website=onmilwaukee.com}}
2016: Amor & Pasión Tour
2017: A Night with the Best of Il Divo
2018: Timeless Tour
2022: Greatest Hits Tour (ft. Steven Labrie) and {{Cite web|date=2022-01-10|title=Steven Labrie Joins Il Divo on U.S.Tour|url=https://operawire.com/steven-labrie-joins-il-divo-on-u-s-tour/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Opera Wire|language=en-US}} For Once in My Life: A Celebration of Motown Tour (ft. Steven Labrie)
2023: A New Day Tour (ft. Steven Labrie & introduced by Patrizio Brianne) - Australia (October–November) Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide

Artistry

=Styling=

Besides music, the members of Il Divo are also known for their refined and elegant appearance, wearing almost exclusively suits by Giorgio Armani{{Cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/life/article/Il-Divo-just-can-t-go-casual-1587293.php|title=Il Divo just can't go casual|first=Joy|last=Sewing|date=17 June 2009|newspaper=Houston Chronicle}} (Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani Collezioni).{{Cite web|url=http://www.ueberlingen2020.de/95TvDlDF/ttnS/5XYy/Jsy/|title=Il Divo viste de Gucci}}

{{Blockquote|Il Divo is a powerful and fascinating presence, in these years have been a great inspiration for me. I remember the first time I saw them performing live: I was impressed by their elegance and their fascinating way to communicate emotions through his music orig.{{Cite web|url=https://designtaxi.com/interstitial.html?v=1&advertiser=External&return_url=http://designtaxi.com/news/22559/Giorgio-Armani-Il-Divo-Collaborate-For-The-Promise/?month=11&year=|title=DesignTAXI - Interstitial Advertisement|website=Designtaxi.com}}|Giorgio Armani}}

{{Blockquote|Il Divo's style is so elegant, it describes our music. It's a dress in the style of the Rat Pack which was composed of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.{{cite web |url=http://wvw.aldia.cr/ad_ee/2012/septiembre/18/espectaculos3322327.html|title=Soy un toro español|date=18 September 2012 |location=Costa Rica}}|Carlos Marín}}

=Musical style=

Il Divo changed the genre of opera with their musical combination of opera singing and classical music, with themes of different genres, including Latin, folk, ballads, church music, bolero and pop.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.infobae.com/opera/2012/10/19/il-divo-no-es-opera/|title="Il Divo" no es ópera | date=19 October 2012 | publisher=Infobae | access-date=26 January 2015 }}

=Multilingual=

Il Divo records their songs in several languages: Spanish ("Regresa A Mí", "Hasta Mi Final", "La Vida Sin Amor"), English ("Mama", "Amazing Grace", "Don't Cry For Me Argentina"), Italian ("Senza Parole", "Passerà", "Notte Di Luce"), French ("Pour Que Tu M'Aimes Encore", "Le Temps des Cathedrales"), Latin ("Panis Angelicus"), Portuguese ("Volta Pra Mim"), and Japanese ("Furusato").{{cite web|url=http://www.ildivo.com/uk/news/il-divo-world-tour-japan-0|title=Il Divo arrived in Japan over the weekend, to embark on their biggest tour of the country to date|website=todomusica.org|year=2012|access-date=16 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427110916/http://www.ildivo.com/uk/news/il-divo-world-tour-japan-0|archive-date=27 April 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.todomusica.org/il_divo/|title=Biografía de Il Divo|website=todomusica.org|year=2006|language=es}} Some songs incorporate more than one language in the same song, such as "The Man You Love" (Spanish and English), "Ave Maria" (Italian and Latin), and "I Believe In You" (English & French), whereas others are recorded in a single language, but sung live in two languages: "She" (Italian & English) and "Bring Him Home" (English & Spanish).

Most of the songs that they cover are reinterpreted from English and translated into the Spanish language, as the group have said that "Spanish is the language of Romanticism".{{cite web|url=http://sevilla.abc.es/hemeroteca/historico-21-10-2008/sevilla/Espectaculos/il-divo-el-espa%C3%B1ol-es-el-idioma-del-romanticismo_91729059343.html|title=El español es el idioma del romanticismo para el cuarteto de ópera pop Il Divo|website=abc.es|date=21 October 2008|language=es|access-date=27 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109212042/http://sevilla.abc.es/hemeroteca/historico-21-10-2008/sevilla/Espectaculos/il-divo-el-espa%C3%B1ol-es-el-idioma-del-romanticismo_91729059343.html|archive-date=9 January 2016|url-status=dead}}

Other activities

=Philanthropy=

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 US and Africa. For every vote cast during that show, Idol sponsors Coca-Cola, AT&T, and others donated money to the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund and other groups such as Save the Children and America's Second Harvest.{{Cite web|title=Radio Swiss Classic|url=https://www.radioswissclassic.ch/en/music-database/orchestra/23839915dc59b8b4e6714d0e8ff9fccc946cfd/biography?app=true|access-date=2022-01-18|website=www.radioswissclassic.ch}}

In 2011, they recorded "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" to raise money for the organisation Save the Children.{{cite web|url=http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/2011-12/il-divo-join-halifax-online-christmas-choir-save-children|title=Il Divo join Halifax Online Christmas Choir for Save the Children|website=savethechildren.org.uk|access-date=21 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923192810/http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/2011-12/il-divo-join-halifax-online-christmas-choir-save-children|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

Il Divo is related indirectly in terms of sponsorship and help with the French NGO SMTA Assistance Médicale Toit du Monde since 2005, of which Izambard is the international official sponsor, and with Sanfilippo Children's Foundation, for which Izambard is the global ambassador.{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/5901-artists-unite-bringing-hope-for-isla-and-jude.html|title=Artists unite bringing Hope for Isla and Jude|website=radiotoday.com.au|date=29 November 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/il-divo-singer-sebastian-izambards-fight-to-save-sanfilippo-kids-through-hope-for-isla-and-jude-charity-song/story-fni0cvc9-1227131707021|title=Il Divo singer Sebastian Izambard's fight to save Sanfilippo kids through Hope for Isla and Jude charity song|website=dailytelegraph.com.au}}

Between 20 and 30 September 2015, Miller and Bühler participated in a motorbike ride from Miami to Los Angeles to raise funds for the Nordoff Robbins music therapy charity.{{cite web|url=https://supportus.everydayhero.com/uk/2-guys-with-pipes-on-bikes-urs-david-s-charity-ride-across-a|title=Fundraise for Nordoff Robbins|website=everydayhero.com|date=19 September 2015|access-date=21 September 2015|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925090556/https://supportus.everydayhero.com/uk/2-guys-with-pipes-on-bikes-urs-david-s-charity-ride-across-a|url-status=dead}}

Discography

=Studio albums=

Il Divo (2004)
The Christmas Collection (2005)
Ancora (2005)
Siempre (2006)
The Promise (2008)
Wicked Game (2011)
A Musical Affair (2013)
Amor & Pasión (2015)
Timeless (2018)
For Once in My Life: A Celebration of Motown (2021)
XX (2024)

Videography

References

Bibliography

Allegra Rossi, Romancing The World, Hardback 128 pages, 10 November 2005, Orion publishers ({{ISBN|978-0-7528-7519-4}})
Il Divo, Our Music, Our Journey, Our Words, Paperback 192 pages, 6 September 2007, Headline Book Publishing ({{ISBN|978-0-7553-1657-1}})

External links

{{official website}}
{{allMusic}}
{{discogs artist}}
{{IMDb name}}

Category:Musical groups established in 2004

Category:Opera crossover singers

Category:Sony BMG artists

Category:Vocal quartets

Category:Ballad music groups

Category:English-language musical groups from Italy

Category:French-language musical groups from Italy

Category:Spanish-language musical groups of Italy

Category:Latin-language singers

Category:Japanese-language musical groups