Audio By Carbonatix
The Sopranos was unquestionably one of the best television series in the history of the medium. But to think that a show about contemporary New Jersey mob life would inspire one of operatic pop’s most successful quartets, that’s just nuts. Without it, however, Il Divo might have never come to life.
Simon Cowell was watching the “Commendatori” episode of The Sopranos when he heard Andrea Bocelli’s “Con Te Partirò” featured prominently on the hourlong show. The idea: Conduct a worldwide search for four dudes with killer vocals, release record after record after record, and collect enough money to fill a pool à la Scrooge McDuck. The shtick: Cover popular songs in different languages with an operatic twist. From a Spanish version of Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart (“Regresa a Mí”) to an Italian rendition of the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin” (“Notte di Luce”), nothing is off-limits.
And like most of Cowell’s business ventures, Il Divo has become a multinational cash cow, having sold more than 28 million records in eight years. Thanks, Sopranos.
Will you step up to support New Times this year?
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If Miami New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
