Beautiful Music, Beautiful Faces...

As a generation lives in an era that beautiful visual matters, we can't fight the feeling that music performers with good looking face will get our attention the most. Not just applicable in pop music, but also classical music dinasty.

I'm not trying to tell that a classical artist should have a flawless face to boost her records or concert ticket sales, but what I'm trying to state is handsome/beautiful-ness of classical performer can break the stereotype of classical music in today's generation mind: classical music can be only enjoyed/performed by old people.

In the past few years, my attention to classical music has been growing as I explore more about the music itself. YouTube helped me a lot. Well, YouTube loves beautiful faces. Indeed. By YouTube-ing, I found some classical music prodigies who happen have such beautiful faces play sublime music. A year ago, I watched a British violinist Charlie Siem.  Well, he is a mix of British and Sweden blood from his parents. In my opinion he's got a glimpse of face, mix of Burberry model and 70s actor. During his musical career, the model faced musician have been featured in numbers of fashion magazine such as GQ and Vogue. Also, he became the face for menswear line, Dunhill.




Another stringed instrument performer that got attention this past few months is Milos Karadaglic. The Montenegro native artist breaks the music world over the absent of classical guitar record for many years since the John Williams era. With more than 7,000 likes and counting on his Facebook page and debut album the 2011 released 'The Guitar' still topping the charts , Milos has already been the worldwide sensation because of his guitar play. Fashion magazine wants to feel the excitement too, so Milos once featured in Vogue US for his concert review in Carnegie Hall, NYC.

More Classical-Pop Acts to Come! Are You Ready Jakarta?

Russell Watson just made his way to Jakarta last October as the part of David Foster world tour. Too bad I wasn't able to see this Wales tenor performed, but I hope he enjoyed performing here so next time, he will bother himself to arrange another concert here.

We just had Watson, Bocelli and Westenra too on last May, who's next to hit Jakarta stage?? Well ladies, you might like it. Two handsome boys of 2 CELLOS will perform in Jakarta on this Friday of November 18 as the opening act of Elton John's Jakarta concert. 2 Cellos are Luka Sullic and Stjepan Hauser, they are classically trained cellists, mostly based in London and had performed in numerous prestigious concert venues around the world. With their self-titled debut album just released under SONY MASTERWORKS label, now they are taking the world by storm, striking the listeners' ears with some famous pop numbers ranging from U2's 'With or Without You' to Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal'.



With the invitation by Sir Elton John himself to open his world-tour concert, now you can see them perform live here in Jakarta.

For tickets, you can go to www.bigdaddy.co.id 

See 2CELLOS performing at iTunes Festival 2011.

Breaking: Russell Watson to come to Jakarta!!

After Bocelli and Westenra this year, now another classical crossover singer will visit to Jakarta. Wales tenor Russell Watson will make his first performance here in collaboration with David Foster. The show is set to be hold in October 28.

Other singers joined the hitmaker David are R&B singer Ashanti, Michael Bolton, pinoy singer Charice, and among other to-be-confirmed stars.

for ticket info you can go to rajakarcis.com

Crossover treats for American TVs: Jackie Evancho.

Well, in terms of my loving of crossover over music, I can recall that Americans are really lucky. This past few weeks, a new comer in classical crossover world has just invaded all day time TV program in the States. The 11 years-old American Got Talent runner Jackie Evancho is making herself busy this week by appearing some of the noted TV program obviously to promote her debut album.

Jackie Evancho, who was just released her debut album "Dream with Me" under the TV mogul Simon Cowell's label, is doing the tv tour in the US. From the east coast to west coast, she started with an appearence in NBC's Today Show, then singing outside FOX studios during FOX & Friends Live, when to The View afterwards. Later on she will head to west coast, meeting with buddy Jay Leno, The Talk, then interviewed by Piers Morgan on CNN. with an additional treat for the viewer, some of the music performance were backed by the hitman himself, David Foster (He's the producer of Jackie's latest album).

One thing I like about Jackie is that her lil-kid attitude. Despite of she is an intention of people, this girl is keeping her self down to earth. classy. Innocent girl she is. Take a look of how she responds to Today Show host's question, asking about her feeling to be at the number 1 spot on Amazon.com, beating Lady Gaga and Adele. Jackie responds: "It feels amazing and I kinda feel sad because I'm kicking out from their spot". arrghh.. I wanna take this girl home.

 I really looking forward to see her interview on Piers Morgan Tonight, since the program will be aired here in my country too, Indonesia. However, I haven't got any information whether the show will go live or not.

All songs she performed are in her new album "Dreams with Me". Have guys listened to it? My favorite is her duet with Barbra Streisand, singing 'Somewhere'. The music sounds magical to me. really love it. 

With all of those tv appearence, I hope Jackie will get wider audiences. I think she will go shiner as she keeps herself down to earth. Good luck Jackie!

"Popstar to Operastar" is back!!!

One of my favorite singing shows is now back on-air: Popstar to Operastar...


Aired by UK's ITV, this show is not just an ordinary singing talent show. Starting this early of June, the show challenges some famous  pop star to sing in an operatic way. Every week each of the eight popstars will sing arias from some famous opera numbers. The panel of judges will include crossover violinist Vanessa Mae, actor Simon Callow, mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins and tenor Rolando Villazon (who both are also mentoring the contestants).


Despite of critiques from the opera insiders (which judging the show as the opera abuser), this show still has some an essence point to take. "I think it's a good thing that 'opera' is being presented in a prime-time slot," Welsh acclaimed tenor, Russell Watson supports. He adds "I've been a huge supporter of popularising this genre. Long may it continue." I'm with you Mr Watson. I think this show helps interpreting opera (as enjoyable music applicable to everyone no matter how old you are) into the wider audiences, especially to pop listeners. 


In this season, popstars that will compete are:
1. former Pussycat Dolls, Melody Thorton
2. former member of popband STEPS, Claire Richard
3. X-Factor winner, Joe McElderry
4. 90's soul/gospel singer, Jocelyn Brown
5. Midge Ure
6. Joseph Washbourn
7. Andy Bell
8. Cheryl Baker

here are some videos of the Popstar to Operastar week 1 posted  by Stepsfan4ever on YouTube.

So, what do you think? who is deserved to be voted off??

All Angels singing at the Champion League Final 2011

Such a big deal for these Angels to take this job: singing at the Champion League Final  (match of Manchester United def. Barcelona) With thousand eyes watching at the Wembley Stadium, and 160 million viewers watching on their television, All Angels have already taken the world by storm.

Most of All Angels members (except Rachel) Melanie, Daisy, Charlotte, were on their exam week when they got prepared for the big event. But they were way too exicted for singing in such an internationally-known sport event. They tweeted: Saturday evening is drawing nearer! Exams will soon be over too! BRING ON SATURDAY! :-) R xxx 


At the event, All Angels sang the famous Champion League theme song (the one which inspired by Handel's "Zadok The Priest" arrangement). But they added some version of their own. Actually, it was an unexpected offer for them to sing there. They just got the project just weeks before the event went on. It was their "Starlight" EP producer, Matt Clifford, who used to made a commercial jingle. He lend the project to the girls. Fyi, in champion league final 2009, Andrea Bocelli was asked to sing the theme too.


As the big fan of them, I was really excited about the performance. First time to watch them LIVE via my local TV. Unfortunately, the camera wasn't so friendly to the girls. As I watched it, I could barely see the face of four members. The cameras were too busy taking all football players' faces. But, I could still hear they sang. Their version of the theme song was beautiful though. I think they should put it on their upcoming album or iTunes by now :)

Below, I attached a video (posted on YouTube by ryanmedia2009 - thanks Ryan) showing behind the scene of their preparation before hit the pitch of the Wembley. Via this video, you can hear too the clearer audio of their  version of Champion League theme song.

some twitpics they uploaded before and after their performance at the Wembley

Striking a pose with THE CHAMPIONS CUP!

ALL ANGELS & TINCHY STRYDER after performing in the Opening Ceremony of the Champions League Final at Wembley!

(Photo via All Angels twitter & http://www.allangelsonline.com/)

Can't wait to see you 

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.