The Promise

Il Divo (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B001FOJ76S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (253 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #113 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750)
  #1 in	Music > Opera & Vocal
  #1 in	Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Classic

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mannerism, December 5, 2008

By	Creative Spirit "scherzo" - See all my reviews

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.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful voices, but one-note, December 6, 2008

By	T. Jones "Bargain huntress" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was my first time hearing Il Divo, and I dove into "The Promise" CD headfirst, and with great expectations. Perhaps I set the bar too high, because I was sorely disappointed. The music is beautiful, but alarmingly soporific and tedious. The singers have wonderfully clear and resonant voices and take great care and precision in delivering every note perfectly, to the effect that the passion is never allowed to seep through. One of the few bright spots in this album was L'Alba del Mondo, an Italian adaptation of Ennio Morricone's "I Knew I Loved You (Deborah's Theme)." The addition of some more familiar renditions, such as "Hallelujah" and "Amazing Grace" make it more bearable but are not enough to overcome the dreary, one-note atmosphere that plagues the album. I will check out Il Divo's previous works with optimism, but sadly, this is one promise that is never delivered.

12 of 13 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)

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.