Ancora

Il Divo (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 24, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000DZ94RC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (171 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,913 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #33 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > General
  • #39 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Classic

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

There are those who will tell you that Il Divo, the multinational quartet of sharp-dressed crooners, synthesize Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion to concoct something worse. And they will not be entirely incorrect. Yet it's hard to argue with a sensation that has entrenched itself so deeply so fast, and a first spin of Ancora makes it harder still: while predictable selections like "I Believe in You," a duet with Celine, and "You Raise Me Up," a Spanish-sung Josh Groban retread, ratchet up the treacle, the foreign-language tracks that are truly foreign lend this foursome enough Euro mystique to redeem them. Particularly melt-worthy is "Poor Que Tu M'aimes Encore," the closer. Singing in tongues, on the face of it, sounds like a bad idea. Ancora counters that with bold voices, brimming hearts, and its cover--if the songs aren't quite enough to seduce you, the singers might just do the trick. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

2006 studio album that reflects the multi-national character of the group; the songs are not all sung in English, but drift between Spanish, English and Italian. However they are worded, all use the emotional Esperanto of love. The group's debut album, IL Divo hit the #1 slot on both Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com after a breakout career-defining appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (April 5, 2005) where the quartet performed its interpretation of Toni Braxton's ‘Unbreak My Heart (‘Regressa A Mi’). Highlights on Ancora include 'Isabel' a duet with Celine Dion and IL Divo's cover of Mariah Carey's 'Hero'. Columbia.

More from Il Divo

Il Divo	The Christmas Collection	Il Divo [DualDisc]
Sing the Songs of Il Divo [Karaoke]	Il Divo--Encore [DVD]	Il Divo [Sheet music]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Il Divo Part II, January 28, 2006

By 

Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Ancora (Audio CD)

I was in an HMV store in the UK last November when I heard this beautiful music playing. I asked who it was and was told it was the new Il Divo CD which had just come out that day, so I got it.

Much like their debut, `Ancora' is filled with lush, romantic love songs, performed in English, Spanish and Italian. If there is any change from their debut, it is that this features (just a bit) more guitars, and more subdued percussion. If you're looking for something edgy and groundbreaking, this isn't the CD for you. However, if you like beautiful, touching music performed by four excellent vocalists, you just might like this.

`Ancora' features covers of Mariah Carey's `Hero', The Righteous Brother's `Unchained melody', Eric Carmen's `All by myself', and Celine Dion's `Pour que tu m'aimes encore'. Celine Dion duets on `I believe in you'. I'm not really a fan of Ms Dion but this works much better than I expected.

`Isabel' is simply stunning. Lush strings, delicate percussion, and the four tenors rising to a crescendo towards the end in an achingly touching vocal performance. Definitely my favourite!

Other standouts include the tender, yet dramatic `Si tu me amas', `Hasta mi final', the largely acoustic/string filled dramatic `En aranjuez con tu amor' (superb vocal performance and the most operatic sounding song), and `Esisti dentro me'.

The UK version contains `Ave Maria' and a lush, sweeping rendition of `O holy night'.

128 of 154 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There should be some guidelines, January 26, 2006

By 

M. DETWILER "fairval4" (Martinsburg, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ancora (Audio CD)

I am deeply offended by a review about this CD. I feel Amazon should have some guidelines about what people can say in their reviews. The reviewer who stated people who bought this CD should die should not be allowed to have his review published. I checked his other reviews and one said if you didn't agree with his opinion you should commit suicide. This drivel should not be seen by the public. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but most people are smart enough to give their opinions without offending too many people. Oh, wait--that was his intention. He wanted to offend people and get our attention. Well, he got mine. But his opinion just shows his lack of education and intelligence.
Enough about him (or her, or whatever). This is a good CD. It is so refreshing to listen to men sing. And that is what Il Divo does--they sing. They don't sound like they are having surgery without anesthesia as so many "artists" of today do. On this CD, the singers actually carry a tune. And, they have beautiful voices as well.
I am just sorry I had to read the hate-filled review. It pains me to be reminded of the terribly misguided people in our world today.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First One Was Better., January 7, 2007

By 

SUPPORT THE ASPCA. "PILUM THROWER!" (?????) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancora (Audio CD)

Their formula works well overall. Pop ballads in orchestral settings, for the four men to take turns doing solo duties within the verses, & then sing together in the chorus & bridge. There were two outstanding songs here. Their Italian version of Mariah Carey's "Hero," & the closing song "Pour Que Tu M'aimes Encore. They sing these two with far more brio than the others. Make no mistake, this group has a very long & bright future in front of them. As with their debut, Carlos' powerful baritone carries most of the weight of the four. I could see him eventually being a solo star. This was better than the Christmas release, but not as good as their debut. Lastly, it was fourteen minutes shorter.