Il Divo: Carlos Marin, David Miller , Sebastien Izambard, Urs Buhler (vocals).
Additional personnel: Mathis Venge (guitar, programming); Fridrick "Frizzy" Karlsson, Esbjorn Ohwall (guitar); Jannika Gustafsson (violin); Gavyn Wright (strings); Jan Bengtson (flute); Bengt Rosengren (oboe); Maj Widding (bassoon); Hans Larsson, Rolf Nyquist (French horn); Per Magnusson (piano, keyboards); Dave Arch, Kristofer Nergardh (piano); Steve Mac (keyboards, synthesizer); Andy Hill (keyboards); Tomas Lindberg (bass instrument); Chris Laws (drums); Frank Ricotti, Karl Thorsson (percussion); David Kreuger, Andreas Romdhane, Josef Larossi (programming); Emil Heiling, Anders Von Hofsten, Maria Diephuis, Linda Norrgard (background vocals).
Recording information: London, England (2004); Stockholm, Sweden.
Ensemble: Stockholm Session Strings.
IL DIVO gives the classical/pop crossover a twist, via a quartet of singers whose vocal chops and model-like looks make them four times the heartthrob threat of predecessor Andrea Bocelli. Masterminded by AMERICAN IDOL's Simon Cowell, Il Divo resonates with an international appeal, thanks to the disparate backgrounds of Sebastien Izambard (France), Urs Buhler (Switzerland), Carlos Marin (Spain), and David Miller (United States). Further solidifying the pop quotient is the involvement of Britney Spears/Backstreet Boys producers Per Magnusson and David Krueger.
Lush orchestral arrangements are applied to Spanish-language readings of Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart (Regresa a Mi)" and Frank Sinatra's signature "My Way (A Mi Manera)," enhancing the romantic sweep of the originals. Although much of Il Divo's repertoire is performed in Spanish or Italian, the group also offers up the English-language tunes "Mama," "The Man You Love," and "Every Time I Look at You," which features swelling strings and light piano. As a bonus, the album includes a hidden track--an Italian version of "Unchained Melody," which is tailor-made for Il Divo's bold, dramatic phrasing.