The Promise

Il Divo (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B001FOJ76S
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (298 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #843 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Classical > Sacred & Religious > General
  • #4 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750) > General AAS
  • #4 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750) > General

Editorial Reviews

Luxury Edition includes bonus DVD. Il Divo are back refreshed, reinvigorated and ready to remind the world in 2008 just what they have been missing. Four of the greatest operatic voices in the world come together again to create their unique signature sound to re-interpret popular romantic songs. The Promise features 12 songs once again produced by Steve Mac (Il Divo, The Christmas Collection, Ancora, Siempre). The Promise is Il Divo's first release in two years. Il Divo have become an international sensation bringing the sound of opera to the world of popular music since their debut in 2002. Il Divo has sold over 22 million albums worldwide. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Il Divo's Latest CD Keeps Its Promise, December 1, 2008

By 

T. everetts (Someplace, somewhere) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Promise (Audio CD)

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. Songs such as "La Luna", Angelina and Amazing Grace really showcase the power, range and precision of Il Divo's voices.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Boring!, March 13, 2009

By 

Andrew (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Promise (Audio CD)

I'm a fan of the group, but tired of same old/ same old. Regret this purchase. As Simon sometimes says on "American Idol" - best not to repeat songs well identified by those who did it right the first time.
Now - with that being said, if they wish to repeat some music others have done - PLEASE go with a classic that their voices can make the most of - like THEY CALL THE WIND MARIA, from Paint Your Wagon. That's a song like Unchained Melody and one loved by millions. I would buy an entire album if that song were on it - and done well. But, please get into the music more than just singing the tune in a variety of languages. You've become redundant and boring. Sorry.

24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mannerism, December 5, 2008

By 

Creative Spirit "scherzo" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Promise (Audio CD)

Disappointed! No challenge. The same tempi and the same mood with a huge tutti at the end with a cheap modulation. Sorry, don't take it negative!
I have been a sincere Il Divo fan since 2 years ago. What is cross-over music? I wonder how much they (4 wonderful singers) are involved in music choice and arranging. I want them to be original. They can find any motif or melody from Faure, Massnet, Richard Strauss, Rachmaninov, even from Bach---anywhere. Think what they did in the past: 'Isabel' from Faure, 'Aranjuez' from Rodrigo, 'All by Myself' arranged by Eric Carmen who had taken a motif from Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2 (if I am right). These are cross-over music. But I liked 'Regresa A Mi', 'Nella Fantasia', ' Passera', 'Notte di Luce', 'Caruso' and 'Musica' etc.
This recent album makes me feel so dull--even 'Adagio' by Albinoni.
They don't have to be operatic because of their backgrounds. It depends on the song itself. Am I the only person to think this way? I do wish Il Divo's future prosperity.