Amici Forever - The Opera Band

The debut of the young, classically trained international quintet of sopranos Jo Appleby and Tsakane Valentine, tenors David Habbin and Geoff Swell, and basso Nick Garret offers up a familiar take on the crossover formula that has enriched everyone from genre pioneers The Three Tenors to Russell Watson and beyond. While their occasionally electro-pumped rhythms and youth-angled marketing shtick ("The world's first opera band!") may borrow a page from Opera Babes and Bond, it still manages to evoke the spirit (if not the letter) of its eclectic classical sources. And if the world hasn't exactly been burning for yet another dramatized update of Turandot's melodic "Nessun Dorma," The Pearl Fishers, or--for that matter--"Unchained Melody," Amici Forever's takes on the pop side of the crossover equation are indeed promising, recasting Alex North's "Unchained.." ("Senza Catene") and their reworked theme to the miniseries Band of Brothers("Requiem for a Soldier") in a successful, neo-classical light. If Neopolitan-shaded originals like "Canto Alla Vita" and "Vita Mia" sound like Josh Groban clones, their glorious harmonic vocal reworkings of Faure's "Pavane" ("Whisper of Angels") and Elgar's "Enigma Variations" ("Nimrod: Lux Aeterna") bristle with an ambitious sense of adventure that's missing from much of their crossover competition. Serious opera buffs may still quarrel with the daring "impurity" of it all, but if Amici Forever prod a few more pimply punters to peruse Puccini, won't it all have been worth it? --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

 Opera lite
I am not a huge fan of opera music. Most of it gets on my nerves but I do like it when opera music is mixed in with a smidgeon of pop music. Amici Forever may not create opera music that is pure but their music is nice to listen to when I just want to unwind after a long day at the office. THE OPERA BAND is the group's first album. I heard about it through a television commercial a few years ago and bought a copy. I like the combination of male and female singers. While the song selection is rather predictable (because they have been covered by other artists in the classical/crossover genre), I thought the group did a good job. I particularly enjoyed their version of "Unchained Melody" and Elgar's "Nimrod". The music is a bit bland and the group offers nothing new that I haven't heard before in the classical/crossover genre, I still enjoy listening to their music. Their fusion of pop and opera helps take off the edge from the dark, heavy music I normally listen to on a regular basis/ November 25, 2007

 Definitive
Beautiful! Even friends who've never cared for opera love this one. A tonic at the end of a grueling day, a weekend afternoon introspective, a late-night lead-in to a flight of dreams ... a whisper of angels. July 27, 2007

 great choice
this was a gift for family. family member loves album quality and selections. January 11, 2007

 Brilliant offering
Amici Forever is suberb in every way. Their arrangements are exceptional and the original lyrics are perfect poetry. January 10, 2007

 Easy Listening
Bought the album after hearing someone talk about the group. Thought the voices were okay (baritone was the best) but in some songs didn't blend properly. Selection of pieces was interesting . . . pop, classical, opera. Good album for "background" music. September 21, 2006

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