| Il Divo | Primary Artist, Vocal Ensemble |
| John Buckley | Strings |
| Steve Pearce | Bass |
| Frank Ricotti | Percussion |
| Dave Arch | Piano |
| John Parricelli | Guitar |
| Steve Mac | Organ, Piano, Keyboards |
| Per Magnusson | Synthesizer, Piano |
| Chris Laws | Drums |
| Charlotte Trinder | Strings |
| Czech National Symphony Orchestra | Performing Ensemble |
| Tomás Brauner | Conductor |
| Robert White | Bagpipes |
| Jo Buckley | Strings |
| Charlotte Tinder | Strings |
| Tomaso Albinoni | Composer |
| Leonard Cohen | Composer |
| Jeremy Lubbock | Arranger |
| Holly Johnson | Composer |
| Charles Aznavour | Composer |
| Armando Manzanero | Composer, Lyricist |
| Benny Andersson | Composer |
| Haydn Bendall | Engineering |
| Alan Bergman | Composer, Lyricist |
| Marilyn Bergman | Composer, Lyricist |
| Peter Gill | Arranger, Composer |
| Marco Marinangeli | Composer, Lyricist |
| Ennio Morricone | Composer |
| Brian Nash | Arranger, Composer |
| Mark O'Toole | Arranger, Composer |
| Rudy Pérez | Arranger, Composer, Adaptation |
| Ren Swan | Engineering |
| Björn Ulvaeus | Composer, Lyricist |
| Geoff Foster | Engineering |
| Dave Arch | Arranger, Composer, Orchestration |
| David Krueger | Producer, Audio Production |
| Niall Acott | Engineering |
| Carlos Marin | Arranger, Composer |
| Herbert Kretzmer | Composer |
| Steve Mac | Arranger, Composer, Producer, Audio Production |
| Per Magnusson | Arranger, Producer, Audio Production |
| David Miller | Arranger |
| Jörgen Elofsson | Composer |
| Andreas "Quiz" Romdhane | Composer |
| Traditional | Composer |
| Chris Laws | Engineer, Digital Editing |
| Daniel Pursey | Engineer |
| Vlado Meller | Mastering |
| John Reid | Composer, Lyricist |
| Josef Larossi | Composer, Lyricist |
| Sébastien Izambard | Arranger, Composer |
| Markus Bergkvist | Engineer |
| Urs Buhler | Arranger, Composer |
| David Miller & the Castle Arms | Arranger |
| Kinnda Hamid | Composer, Lyricist |
| L. Angelosanti | Composer, Lyricist |
| Francesco Galtieri | Composer, Lyricist |
| Remo Giazotti | Arranger |
| Alcaraz Gomez | Composer, Lyricist |
| Peter Rudge | Representation |
| Remo Giazotto | Arranger, Composer |
| David Miller | Composer |
| Neall Acott | Engineering |
| Marcus Bergqvist | Engineer |
| L. Angelo Santi | Lyricist |
| David Kreuger | Producer |
| Carlos Marin | Arranger |
| Mark O'Toole | Arranger |
| Fredrik Andersson | Engineer |
| Peter Gordeno | Composer |
musicladyGA
Posted October 1, 2010
This group of talented men has touched my life and enriched it by singing some of the most emotionally charged and high quality musical pieces I have ever heard. This CD, their latest, is by far their best. There is only one song that I skip over and that is "Angelina" because the flamenco style does not appeal to me. However, that is a small thing. The rendering of "Amazing Grace", their only performance in English on this CD, is stirring. I understand why so many people flock to their concerts. I am one of them and I can say they are unmatched in today's musical world. Giants!!!
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Posted October 1, 2010
Amazing Grace was one of the best version I have ever heard. The whole CD is soothing and relaxing. One of my new favorite groups. Looking forward to there future works.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Il Divo's music is new to me, & I was very impressed. They have strong beautiful finely trained voices, whether solo or blending in harmony. A lot of opera is too stylized for me, but these artists sing with real emotion. The backing instruments, particularly keyboards, are also played with true skill & passion.<BR/><BR/>I was particularly taken with the opening number, The Power of Love (La Fuerza Mayor.) Although I only know a little Spanish, I soon found myself singing along. Their interpretation of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah (Aleluya) gives the song new life. While relaxing background music, at times I was inspired to get up & move, because Il Divo sings with such power & energy. This isn't just for opera lovers, but for anyone who appreciates artists who sing straight from the heart.
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Posted October 1, 2010
I was very excited when a network group (one2onenetwork.com) sent me this cd to review. I own 2 prior Il Divo albums and after listening to this album I am sad to say it is by far the weakest. I enjoy this genre of music and have enjoyed albums by Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban in the past. I found the album boring and monotone throughout. I was bored and honestly expected a lot more.
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Posted October 1, 2010
As a One2One Network participant, I received this CD in the mail to listen to and review. I currently own "Ancora," which I love slightly more than this album, but that's not to say that this CD isn't another slam dunk. Packed with emotion and sincerity, the name "Il Divo," (Italian for "Divine (Male)) says it all. As with any album, some songs are superior to others. My personal favorites include "Angelina," "Aleluya," and "Winner Takes It All." This album would make a perfect gift for that loved one who wants to dip their feet into contemporary "popera." I can almost guaruntee it will make a lasting impression on a female baby boomer in your life - I bought "Ancora" for my mom (age 55) as a Christmas gift last year and she fell in love with them. We now share a love for Il Divo, particularly Carlos!
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Posted October 1, 2010
I found this easy to listen to. Great for dinner party music or just to relax at home alone
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.partyhat
Posted October 1, 2010
I enjoyed the music on this album, but I don't think it is quite to par with their other music. I found myself constantly turning up the volume so I could make out the words, then turning it down when the music became too loud. Most of the arrangements felt the same to me. The songs began softly, in solo, and eventually built to a very dramatic, sometimes harsh climax with all four singing.<BR/><BR/>In particular, I was not overly fond of <BR/>Track #1 The Power of Love - started so slowly that the words sounded harsh, rather than flowing (later the tempo picks up, and the song is very nice),<BR/>Track #3 Adagio - I felt that the instrumentals were competing with the vocals on this one,<BR/>Track #8 The Winner Takes it All - I don't really care for this interpretation of Abba.<BR/><BR/>That said, I really enjoyed the rest of the album. Particularly,<BR/>Track #2 La Promessa - Gorgeous. Their voices are powerful and tender;<BR/>Track #5 L'Alba Del Mondo - A very subtle showcase of the talent of this group;<BR/>Track #7 Angelina - Wonderful Spanish-style orchestration;<BR/>Track #11 Amazing Grace - So beautiful. The solo on the first verse is incredible, and the bagpipes during the transition are a nice surprise to this classic (definitely not what I expected the first time I heard it).<BR/><BR/>Overall, I was very pleased with the latest offering from Il Divo and I would definitely recommend it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.After all the hype I have heard about their previous albums, I was very excited to sit down and listen to my first Il Divo CD. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.<BR/><BR/>I can best describe the album as "not bad". There are definitely shining moments throughout the album, such as:<BR/>Adagio--one of the most gorgeous melodies written by Albinoni. I am very familiar with the original instrumental version, but was impressed with the vocals and the arrangement.<BR/>L'Alba del Mondo--like many of the other songs, it starts out beautiful, with a nice instrumental introduction. The melody is gorgeous, but like MANY of the other songs, the ending is a bit over the top.<BR/>The opening of Amazing Grace--I'm not sure who sang the opening verse but it was amazing! He sang with such clarity and purity and made such a simple opening very moving. And the bagpipes were unexpectedly a very nice instrumentation for the piece.<BR/><BR/>There were several reasons that I felt disappointed with the album. One was the song selection. There was a nice variety of classical and pop, but almost all the songs were the same slow tempo! I also don't really understand the reasoning for changing the original languages to the songs. There was really no reason to change everything into Spanish or Italian (except for Amazing Grace in English). But my biggest issue with almost every song on this album, even Amazing Grace which opened with such an amazing opening, was that the musical climaxes were OVER THE TOP! The arrangements were poor, and almost every song had a huge, over the top harmonic climax which was never prepared for properly Almost every song, it came out of NOWHERE and felt like they just threw it in to show how loud they could sing (though I'm sure the men of Il Divo did not throw it in, I blame the producers and arrangers for that tackiness).<BR/><BR/>My final recommendation...it's not a bad album, there are wonderful songs and moments, but not enough to warrant buying the whole album. Better to buy individual tracks from itunes and perhaps invest in one of their other albums.
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Posted October 1, 2010
I Also Recommend:
The voices 4 voices of Il Divo are powerful and emotion-filled when they sing. I had never listened to any Il Divo music before this CD so I was completely unsure of what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how wonderful it is. Every song has something to offer, but my personal favorites are "Angelina" and "The Winner Takes it All (Va Todo Al Ganador)". <BR/><BR/>The CD includes songs in Italian and Spanish, but because of the amazing level of emotion and strength in the men's voices, one does not need to be able to speak or understand the language to fully experience the music. The listener can feel it and embrace it without relying on pesky words and literal translations, which brings a whole new level to music listening. <BR/><BR/>The amazing voices of Il Divo make this a perfect CD to sit back with a glass of wine and lose oneself in the melodies. It is easy to be pulled into the music and forget all the stresses of the real world and life in general. If you're looking for overly-synthesized pop junk, this CD is not for you. But if you're looking for true talent and amazing harmonies, pick up "The Promise" and give it a listen. You won't be disappointed with these sophisticated songs. The operatic tones will fill your ears and heart with the magic of music.
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Posted October 1, 2010
Prior to receiving this CD, I was only minimally aware of Il Divo, the princes of popera. I had seen them on television several times, and knew that they had amazing voices and harmonies. When I first listened to this, I was blown away. These songs truly showcase Il Divo's incredible harmonies. The instrumentals are expertly arranged. The melodies are deceptively simple, yet compelling. Each song is full of pleasant surprises in harmonies, melodies and dynamics. If you listen, and emerge yourself in the music, you will not only be interested, you will also be lost in the music. With the exception of Amazing Grace, the songs are in Spanish. Regardless if you understand the words, the music emotes the sentiment of the song in a way that makes it easy to understand the message of the music.
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Posted October 1, 2010
This is the CD I have been waiting for. I am an Il Divo fan and this new CD, The Promise, did not disappoint! Amazing Grace brought tears to my eyes while the Power of Love just made me feel peaceful. I just recently lost my Grandfather last week and this CD helped me get through that really rough patch! I would recommend this Cd to anyone, young or old!
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Posted October 1, 2010
I just got to listen to the CD in full over Thanksgiving and it was the perfect setting for this CD. I really wasn't sure what to expect as I had only briefly heard of Il Divo as Simon Cowell's project. I was impressed by the rich voices (and let's face it - good looks on the cover). The CD is not something I would pop in while I'm getting ready for a night on the town - but is perfect if you are having a group over for dinner and would like some rich background music. The songs on the album that really stood out for me was Amazing Grace and La Promessa. The music is full of emotion and when you listen to the sound of their voices blend together it's really beautiful. This is really a CD to sit down, relax and enjoy a glass of wine too.
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Posted October 1, 2010
Il Divo is back, with a new cd filled with beautifully moving songs. Special note: all of the songs are in Spanish except for Amazing Grace, which is sung in English. This has disappointed some listeners, but I love it! For me, the words are not as powerful as the sound, and the sound does not disappoint. My favorite songs on this album are La Promesa, Angelina and Amazing Grace. <BR/><BR/>This album is great to use as background music for a dinner party. It is equally as nice for relaxing with a book and cup of coffee or tea. If you haven't listened to them before, listen to clips from each song online - you may find a new favorite!
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Posted October 1, 2010
After getting Il Divo's Christmas album, I was excited to receive The Promise! It is a beautiful CD with their signature harmonies and very soothing. My son falls asleep to it in the car (which is a good thing!). My biggest complaint is that the whole CD is in Spanish (and Latin?) other than the very last song. It would have been nice to have more of a mix so you can sing along with a few of the songs! All in all a nice CD.
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Posted October 1, 2010
When I first received my new Il Divo album, The Promise, I must say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. The operatic voices of the 4 men that make up this dynamic man band have voices of angels and their melodic sounds could lull me to sleep, in a good way of course. I found myself relaxing while listening to songs like La Promesa, Adagio and The Winner Takes It All and feeling a sense of calm and conetentness. Now, in general, I am not an opera- sounding fan, but I think when I am in need of some downtime, this might be the album I go to.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I really enjoyed listening the Il Divo's new CD "The Promise." The lush vocals were uplifitng and romantic. I particularly enjoyed their rendidtion of the song, "Amazing Grace." It sends a positive message that is welcome in these challenging times.
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Posted October 1, 2010
I enjoyed this cd very much! Very powerful but at the same time very nice to listen to for unwinding at the end of the day! Great Cd!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.There is absolutely no doubt that these four fine gentlemen can sing. It is particularly enjoyable if you understand foreign languages, which I have the good fortune of being able to do. For those who speak english there is the amazing "Amazing Grace". I suggest that you lay back, close your eyes and let the rest of the songs take you away, I guarantee that Il Divo will take you on a journey.
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Posted October 1, 2010
I enjoyed The Promise very much. Although I didn't like the song selection as much as their other CDs, I still enjoyed listening to every song on this one. Amazing Grace, The Winner Takes it All, etc. are all beautiful renditions. Their voices are amazing no matter what song they sing...so what does it matter? Everyone is sure to enjoy this.
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Posted October 1, 2010
I love all these songs on this CD. There are 11 songs and even though I like all of them, my favorites are Amazing Grace and Hallelujah. Those are both really beautiful songs and IL Divo sing them so well! The songs on this CD are:<BR/><BR/> 1)The Power Of Love (La Fuerza Mayor)<BR/>2)La Promessa<BR/>3)Adagio<BR/>4)Hallelujah (Aleluya)<BR/>5)L'alba Del Mondo<BR/>6)Enamorado<BR/>7)Angelina<BR/>8)The Winner takes It All (Va Todo Al Ganador)<BR/>9)La Luna<BR/>10)She<BR/>11)Amazing Grace<BR/><BR/>All these songs are uplifting and inspirational. My stress goes completely away while listening to these guys! The lyrics to all the songs are really great and they are unforgetable. I can't help but have a smile on my face while listening to this CD! This is one CD that I recommend to anyone!
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Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
On The Promise, Il Divo's formula shows signsof wear. The Promise isn't greatly different in feel or form from its predecessors -- it is still stately, dramatic Euro-pop covers balanced by a couple of made-to-order tunes -- and that's the problem. Without a change in sound or mood, the novelty of opera singers singing pop songs is beginning to wear off, particularly because the group's material here isn't strong. Previously, they sang songs that were hits the world over but here they rely on "The Power of Love," ABBA's "The Winner Takes All," and Charles Aznavour's "She," which skew this toward the group's Euro roots and give ...