Televised singing competitions have been a boon for the revival of classical music and vintage standards in recent years. Where else would someone traditional like Susan Boyle get the chance to reach such a wide audience? Boyle is the opposite of hip, but “popera” acts like Il Volo (The Pearl at Palms, 702.944.3200) that combine mainstream pop sensibilities with classical music are a bit trendier. The three Italian guys in Il Volo got their start in 2009 as teens, performing on a singing competition show in Italy, and, in 2015, they placed third with “Grande Amore” in the Eurovision Song Contest.
In between those, the group released four studio albums, mixing original and traditional songs in their native Italian as well as English and Spanish. They sing classics like “O Sole Mio,” “Volare” and Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” but also cover U2 and perform original songs from pop songwriters like Diane Warren and Walter Afanasieff. Their telegenic looks may have helped them get noticed on TV initially, but Il Volo’s rich, evocative voices (one baritone, two tenor) have kept them in the spotlight, with songs both timeless and completely current. Catch them in Vegas on March 25.
