Young, Talented and.... OPERATIC!

Another classical singing sensation hits the music mainstream. Il Volo, indirectly, made their international debut last thursday on American Idol stage. As they performed 'O Sole Mio' there, suddenly everyone were stunned, including me. As a fan of that type of music - classical crossover - since years, I've witnessed numbers of young and fresh faced singer with powerful operatic voice took the world by storm. Names from Charlotte Church, Josh Groban, Il Divo,  to the newly made of a talent show, little Jackie Evancho have made  classical music more 'welcomed' by the listeners whose ears mostly are friendly to the Lady Gaga or The Killers' beat. So, now let's take a look, sort of names who sing in operatic way and wow the world..

1. CHARLOTTE CHURCH

This is the girl who introduces me to the classical crossover music. I felt in love right away about how she sang and the music backgrounded her sopran voice. Unique, I thought. My first time to hear classical music mixed with pop music (I was twelve years old), thanks to her. Talking about how this Britsih chick made her way in the music business, the TV talent show helped her (as always, TV always did something). She appeared on a UK show called 'Big Big Talent Show'. Everyone were stunned of how a big soprano voice came out from a 12 year-old tiny body. She sang 'Pie Jesu', after the show.. the rest is history. She signed a record deal to a giant record label, SONY. Her debut album 'Voice of an Angel' went gold and platinum in UK, US, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN. This success was followed by other four studio albums. With her music, sha has hit 10 million album sales (really not a bad thing for a teenage girl who is apparently singing much of classical music). She was named by Billboard as its Top Ten best selling female vocalists worldwide for the year 2000, a list that included Madonna and Janet Jackson.

2. JOSH GROBAN

We have young soprano like Charlotte, now the world has Josh Groban. By the grace of David Foster's touch, this young man suddenly became most beloved singer in the universe. His song "You Raise Me Up" was like a hymn for everyone back in 2003. Till now, everyone still can't get enough about this powerful massege containing song. Now, Groban has 5 studio albums, which some of its materials wrote by himself. Appeared in Oprah and Jay Leno many times, duet with some famous singers, dubbed as 100 Most Beautiful People, now Josh Groban has conquered the mainstream.

3 Il DIVO & BLAKE

IL DIVO

BLAKE

Classical version of Backstreet Boys. A band, but not dancing. Still they have charming faces (ladies??). Il Divo was formed by the TV personality (then Idol judge), Simon Cowell in 2004, consisting of four men. How can be more beautiful when you hear four melodies put in a song. With that voice, I call it heaven. Years later, the British has his own version of Il Divo, named Blake. These guys are a full package (less dancing of course).


4. KATHERINE JENKINS 

What does make you bored of classical singer? Fat body, flat faces. Yeah, when we are talking about classical music, we just talk about 'the music' itself. Well, sometimes you can lie about how the performer looks like. Unfortunately we are living in the 'beautiful-faces' century. Beauty matters. First time I saw this singer name Katherine Jenkins, I thought she was kind of movie actress: pretty faces with strong jaw, blue eyes, and blonde hair and not to mention: sexy spanish guitar body. No one believes her until she sings. Her deep mezzo soprano voice is so tender yet sexy. Katherine has released more than 4 albums. Willing to take the mainstream seriously, now the songbird teams up with hit makers David Foster.


5. FARYL SMITH & JACKIE EVANCHO

Faryl Smith

Jackie Evanho

Appear on talent show is a big deal. You just rocket to best career because of winning a talent show. UK has Faryl Smith ( the top three of 2008 British Got Talent) and US has Jackie Evancho (runner up of 2010 America's Got Talent) Faryl was teen and Jackie was just a child when appeared in the talent show, but they can beat a note like Jenkins or Charlotte Church did.

Speaking of Hayley Westenra....

Okay, I can assume that last Sunday was the first time for Jakarta to see Hayley Westenra perform. Perhaps, It was audiences' first time to hear Hayley sing. No one knows her, until her "Amazing Grace" blown their mind away.



Hayley signed a record deal with Decca (Universal Music) when she was just 14 (now she's 24). The native New Zealand singer's first album 'Pure' was recalled as the fastest selling debut classical album in 21st century. With total four international release album ('Pure', 'Odyssey', 'Celtic Treasure', 'Winter Magic'), Hayley has made 4 million record sales. With new album called 'Paradiso' on the way, Hayley is still taking the world by storm.


#things you should know about Hayley..
- Hayley is the UNICEF's youngest-ever ambassador. Her project: Bikes for Ghana Appeal
- Her duet partner lined-up from Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras, Ronan Keating, The Corrs, The Bedingfields, Il Divo, Mike Oldfield.
- Her audiences ranging from common people to top personalities such as HM Queen Elizabeth, Royal Family, Prime Ministers, Presidents, The Pope.
- Hayley is a sporty girl too. Means, she has opened many sport event: Football (the FA Cup Final, The European Champions League), Baseball (the NBA in the US), Tennis (the Mercedes Cup in Los Angeles)
- Japanese has a strong bond w/ Hayley. Japan is one the Hayley's biggest fans based. As a thank-you, Hayley has released two Japanese album.

Well, I'm not trying to sell Hayley, but I'm trying to introduce you some of good music out there and how it is being appreciated. By appreciating this kind of music, the more of you like it, the more class act musician perform here. The more fans, the cheaper ticket price will be sold :) Hoping this kind of music (read: Hayley) will stop by here again, in Jakarta. with NOTE: in   wallet-friendly price :)

Looking for Hayley in Jakarta's CD store:
So far, I've seen some albums like 'Pure', 'Odyssey', 'Winter Magic', 'River of Dreams: The Best of Hayley Westenra', which a national-released, are available in local store (Duta Suara, Beatz!, Disc Tarra). Imported CDs, like 'Celtic Treasure' and 'Hayley Sings Japanese Songs' are available too but in rare numbers.

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videos of Hayley:

more about Hayley
follow Hayley on twitter 

OH MY!! MOMENT : Ready for Bocelli & Westenra live performance

May 15 2011 looks so surreal for me. On that day, (who knows) I'm gonna attend a concert of the most-ever-multi talented slash world renowned (pop) opera figure, ANDREA BOCELLI. Not just that, he brings my fav. crossover soprano HAYLEY WESTENRA too. Two words : more surreal!

Hayley visited Bocelli, in his Italy house.

I think this is the first concert of internationally-known classical musician I ever attend to since it's a very rare event in Jakarta (this kind of music - some says but not for me - is very segmented, just for wealth people), and the ticket price is shockingly crazy (even the price of cheap seat can cost you a Blackberry device). Years before, Jakarta also welcomed same genra artist, like Sarah Brigtman (Bocelli long-time singing partner), vocal quartet Il Divo. Prior to the expensive ticket, I was absence to attend those gigs.

But it's different story for me when Bocelli & Hayley Westenra were planned to come. Bocelli is like an inspiration for me and Hayley has been my music crush since her debut in 2003. I live in Hayley's music for about eight years, I grew with her five studio albums, I breath by wathing tons of her video on YouTube, showing her performed in front of The Queen & Royal family, former US president, The Pope, Mandela or dueting with other music stars, from Il Divo to Ronan Keating. Really a misserable for my whole-life, if I skip their one-in-lifetime Jakarta appearance. That's why, just days before the concert, I already got the ticket. Platinum seat (no one wants to know about the crazy price. and how I got it. I can assure you. hha). It's a must-to-watch show man!

Already holding the ticket. Got the excitement. High blood pressure. Next, going to the venue & witness the heavenly moment of me, proudly brought by Andrea Bocelli & Hayley Westenra themselves.

to be continued...

Classic Brit Awards 2011: Main Event

Perhelatan yang ditunggu para pecinta musik klasik akhirnya digelar juga. Classical Brits Award diselenggarakan untuk kedua belas kalinya Kamis (12/5)  di Royal Albert Hall, London.

Dibuka oleh The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla Parker Bowles), acara ini didedikasikan bagi para insan musik klasik, baik mereka yang  menekuni genre murni musik klasik (tradisional/konvensional) hingga main-stream (klasikpop/crossover/kontemporer). Mengingat diperhitungkannya juga crossover di penghargaan ini, muka-muka 'fresh', atau 'now-generation' kerap terlihat baik sebagai nominator maupun performer di malam itu. Sebut saja gitaris Milos Karadaglic, mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins, All Angels, Isabel, komposer muda Eric Whitacre meramaikan nominasi dan panggung penampilan diantara nama-nama pemain lama seperti Aled Jones, Antonio Pappano, Andre Rieu, Bryn Terfel. Yang sangat mengejutkan adalah, dianugrahkannya 'artist of the decade' bagi kuartet vokal IL DIVO. Terdengar mengejutkan, karena selama tujuh tahun mereka berkarir, tidak ada satupun album IL DIVO yang dinominasikan di Classic Brits.

Pada malam itu, Classic Brit juga mendedikasikan sebuah penghargaan khusus "Outstanding Contribution to Music" kepada John Barry, komposer theme-song & scorer film JAMES BOND. Dame Shirley Bassey pun tampil secara khusus menyanyikan lagu "Gold Finger" yang terkenal itu untuk menghormati mendiang sang komposer.

Classic Brits akan ditayangkan di ITV Inggris tanggal 29 Mei. Bagi kalian yang tinggal di luar Inggris, masih bisa mengaksesnya via youtube (link menyusul) :)
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Video wawancara IL DIVO di karpet merah Classic Brits. #facts: (setelah Katy Perry membicarakan Indonesia di majalah Vanity Fair), dalam wawancara ini Il Divo membicarakan Jakarta lho.. (skip ke 1:38)

Transcript
Interviewer : "Have you found them (fans), as you gone around the world,  what has the response been like?" 
Il Divo's Sebastian:  : "So far it's been really amazing. The more and more we performing around the world, then the more and more we get fans, and we go to places you would never think we would have gone probably. We playin in JAKARTA, and places, that you live like a tressure, cause you really bring something to music. I think that would be our biggest AWARD. "

intinya: Jakarta adalah satu kota, yang menurut Il Divo punya fans yang loyal. Itu adalah sebuah penghargaan terbesar dalam tujuh tahun mereka berkarir.

Foto Karpet Merah Classic Brits

IL DIVO

mezzo-soprano, Katherine Jenkins

vocal-quartet, ALL ANGELS

ex-member of ALL ANGELS, soloist Laura Wright

Pemenang X-Factor, Rhydian Roberts

Gitaris Milos Karadaglic

Gareth Malome & Eric Whitacre

Alion Balsom

Berikut full-list para pemenang The 12-th Annual Classic Brits Awards
Female Artist of The Year : Alison Balsom (trompetis) --> Alison Balsom tampil di Late Night with David Letterman

Male Artist of The Year: Antonio Pappano (Conductor)

Newcomer Award : Filde Frang

Composer of The Year : Arvo Part

Critics of The Year : Tasmin Little

Artist of The Decade : Il Divo

Classic FM Album of The Year : Andrea Rieu

Outstanding Contribution to Music : John Barry (James Bond's theme-song composer)

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sebagai penutup, berikut penampilan Andrea Bocelli dan Sarah Brightman di Classic Brits 2008. Bocelli dijadwalkan akan tampil di Jakarta, Minggu (15/5). Which is very exciting for me, cause I'm gonna be there :) 

Store Guide: The Classical Album 2011 & IL VOLO

Mad about the rare classical record to find in our local CD store in Jakarta?? 

Well, here some new release of classical CDs I could find in a CD store in Jakarta. 

Yesterday, I made a pit-stop in Duta Suara Plaza Senayan. There I found 'The Classical Album 2011" (released in UK last year, now Universal Music Indonesia made it released here). This compilation album is a serial recording following The Classical Album 2008 & 2009, which was released here too. But unfortunately the 2010 version wasn't released. I found my self excited as Uninversal Music Indonesia to continue releasing the 2011 version. Talking about the price, the 2011 album is more expensive than the last year version. I spent my rupiahs for about 115,000, for 44-song album, while 2008-2009 version just costed me 75,000,- Rupiah. However, I can't guarantee you, the album lists some of biggest name in classical music of this decade, from the traditional to the crossover one. It has Il Divo, Russell Watson, Blake, Camilla Kerslake, Katherine Jenkins, Rhydian, Charlotte Church, The Priests, listed on this album. So, It's worth. 

Not only The Classical Album 2011 I found there, but also IL VOLO. This is the debut album of three classically trained young fresh-faced boys, named their group 'IL VOLO' ( I regard them as the combination of The Three Tenors and The Jonas Brothers). Also released by Universal Music Indonesia, the price of this album is 75,000 Rupiah.

Hoping for tons of new classical cds to come in Jakarta. Finger (really) crossed.

TORI AMOS goes CLASSICAL (like Sting & McCartney did)

Another mainstream musician explores classical music. Tori Amos, follows Sting and McCartney footsteps, to release classical album. 


The alternative pop rock singer/songwriter will release her debut classical album, under classical label Deutsche Grammophon. "Night Hunters" will due in September. 


On her official website, the singer says about the upcoming album as a "21st-century song cycle inspired by classical music themes spanning over 400 years". She also adds :"The protagonist is a woman who finds herself in the dying embers of a relationship. In the course of one night she goes through an initiation of sorts that leads her to reinvent herself allowing the listener to follow her on a journey to explore complex musical and emotional subject matter. One of the main themes explored on this album is the hunter and the hunted and how both exist within us."


A few years ago, McCartney and Sting did the same stuff. In 2006 The Beatles star released classical recording, titled "Ecce Cor Meum" (Behold My Heart), a choral and orchestral work in both English and Latin. Also in the same year, The Police frontman, Sting, relaesed "Labyrinth", which brings up the music of Elizabethan age back to the modern era. The world reacts. Numbers of award nomination followed the recordings. Both Sting and McCartney were nominated in Classic Brit Awards, a British classical music award equal to Grammy.

We've seen pop acts like Sting and McCartney had released classical album before. Awards and honor followed as the album went 'mainstream'. And now, Tori Amos. Who's next?