When you think of Simon Cowell, what probably comes to mind is his work on pop-oriented reality singing competitions American Idol and The X Factor, but one of Cowell’s greatest successes is the classical crossover group Il Divo, featuring four international singers with backgrounds in opera, stage productions and classical music. Cowell spent nearly three years scouring the world for singers, and it was worth the effort, as Il Divo has become a global phenomenon, selling more than 30 million albums and regularly touring worldwide.
The group, featuring singers Carlos Marín, Urs Bühler, David Miller and Sébastien Izambard, records classical and opera standards and pop songs reinterpreted in a classical style, as well as original compositions. Il Divo’s melding of musical styles and backgrounds, along with performing songs in multiple languages, has allowed them to reach a wider audience than most classical musicians while retaining their unique musical identity.
The group’s most recent album, 2018’s Timeless, features reinterpretations of Adele’s “Hello” and John Legend’s “All of Me” alongside selections from the Great American Songbook, all given the distinctive Il Divo spin. Cowell’s vision is continuing to pay off.
The Pearl at Palms, 8 p.m. March 15, starting at $59.95 plus tax and fee. 702.944.3200
