My Way - G4 v Il Divo - The X Factor

pennycandle · 18-12-2004, 19:11

In similar vein to the immensely popular O Holy Night Thread (!!).......for anyone who are watching the Westlife Special on ITV1 and has just watched Il Divo`s version of My Way (in Italian), please feel free to debate on whose version you prefer........Il Divo`s or G4`s. I shall reserve making my personal comments until later

(but what I would say for now is why when the original is sung in English do Il Divo have to sing in Italian (I`m sure Il Divo fans will set me straight)

P:S......rock on Kevin Spacey

The Mist · 18-12-2004, 19:12

*runs away screaming*

pennycandle · 18-12-2004, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mist

*runs away screaming*

.....Penny drags The Mist back kicking and screaming

threecheeses · 18-12-2004, 19:16

1st time i've seen them sing live and was not impressed (uses the word live loosley)
G4 gave me tingles this left me cold the other one they do unbreak my heart? or something I like that one

allinuse · 18-12-2004, 19:16

Penny, does it have to be G4 V El Divo?

I'm sort of hoping G4 find their own niche without having constant comparisons made.

I like El Divo and I like G4. I don't like My Way...by anyone!

DillholeMcGinty · 18-12-2004, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennycandle

I (but what I would say for now is why when the original is sung in English do Il Divo have to sing in Italian (I`m sure Il Divo fans will set me straight)

Im sure they didnt HAVE to sing it in italian... they probably thought it worked doing it a different way from the expected.

im sure if G4 had done it in italian you' would be praising their "groundbreaking" decision. You spent a lot of time over the last few weeks talkign about how different G4 were.

Personally i think remaking songs from other styles operatically never works.

pennycandle · 18-12-2004, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by allinuse

Penny, does it have to be G4 V El Divo?

I'm sort of hoping G4 find their own niche without having constant comparisons made.

I like El Divo and I like G4. I don't like My Way...by anyone!

......it`s that damn Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh......getting their groups to duplicate songs.....blame them

baileybots · 18-12-2004, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by DillholeMcGinty

Im sure they didnt HAVE to sing it in italian... they probably thought it worked doing it a different way from the expected.

im sure if G4 had done it in italian you' would be praising their "groundbreaking" decision. You spent a lot of time over the last few weeks talkign about how different G4 were.

Personally i think remaking songs from other styles operatically never works.

Il Divo sing most of their songs in italian on teir album, ...remember this album was recorded before the Xfactor was on tv, so they did their version before G4

pennycandle · 18-12-2004, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by baileybots

Il Divo sing most of their songs in italian on teir album, ...remember this album was recorded before the Xfactor was on tv, so they did their version before G4

...they did indeed baileybots......I blame Louis for all this duplication (did you see him in the audience by the way!). I wondered if anyone could tell me (where is Spellbound when we need her!) why their album is all sung in Italian (as indeed is most opera) even though it was intended for the British market (just shows I know nothing about opera

)

allinuse · 18-12-2004, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennycandle

...they did indeed baileybots......I blame Louis for all this duplication (did you see him in the audience by the way!). I wondered if anyone could tell me (where is Spellbound when we need her!) why their album is all sung in Italian (as indeed is most opera) even though it was intended for the British market (just shows I know nothing about opera

)

Maybe to do with accents and prevent Clouseau-esque satires? Only a suggestion

Spellbound - yoo hoo - helppp!

Spellbound · 18-12-2004, 19:58

Agree that the two versions cannot be compared.

Il Divo's version is four voices taking a solo line each, with the odd occasion when a voice harmonises with another a third up. For me, the most spectacular thing about the song was not the voices, but the accompaniment - strings with the voices, building up to a climax with crashing cymbols etc.

G4's version was entirely different, focusing on close, 4 part harmony throughout. Beginning acapella, it was the voices alone that 'crescendoed' to the climax, the backing track didn't even feature until the solo voices had been through a key change. G4's version was undoubtedly more complex and 'clever', and appeals far more to me.

As for the 'why sing in Italian', I might be wrong, but I could have sworn Il Divo were in fact singing in Spanish

mind you, I confess I wasn't paying that much attention!

baileybots · 18-12-2004, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennycandle

...they did indeed baileybots......I blame Louis for all this duplication (did you see him in the audience by the way!). I wondered if anyone could tell me (where is Spellbound when we need her!) why their album is all sung in Italian (as indeed is most opera) even though it was intended for the British market (just shows I know nothing about opera

)

the album is also intended for the American, French, Spanish, Swiss/Italian market,.. it is due to be released in america feb/march next year,.... it has been mostly sung in italian/spanish because simon said he wanted to bring opera to people who would have not previously listened to it and he is more proud of this album than any other.., thats what part of the biography said on the classical channel

pennycandle · 18-12-2004, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spellbound

Agree that the two versions cannot be compared.

Il Divo's version is four voices taking a solo line each, with the odd occasion when a voice harmonises with another a third up. For me, the most spectacular thing about the song was not the voices, but the accompaniment - strings with the voices, building up to a climax with crashing cymbols etc.

G4's version was entirely different, focusing on close, 4 part harmony throughout. Beginning acapella, it was the voices alone that 'crescendoed' to the climax, the backing track didn't even feature until the solo voices had been through a key change. G4's version was undoubtedly more complex and 'clever', and appeals far more to me.

As for the 'why sing in Italian', I might be wrong, but I could have sworn Il Divo were in fact singing in Spanish

mind you, I confess I wasn't paying that much attention!

Hi Spellbound, as if by magic you appear........it may have been Spanish I`m not sure. Thank you for giving your expert view. Hope you are OK by the way.....haven`t heard from you for a few days.

Spellbound · 18-12-2004, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennycandle

...they did indeed baileybots......I blame Louis for all this duplication (did you see him in the audience by the way!). I wondered if anyone could tell me (where is Spellbound when we need her!) why their album is all sung in Italian (as indeed is most opera) even though it was intended for the British market (just shows I know nothing about opera

)

Lol at you and Fi

haven't been posting much in the last few days, but I'm still around!

As to why Il Divo sing everything in Italian, I don't know, but I HATE it. For me, this is part of what makes the whole Il Divo 'package' so cheesy.

A lot of opera was originally set in Italian, yes. But what Il Divo sing isn't opera - so why pretend it's something it isn't? Just makes a mockery of opera, IMHO

Whatever G4 end up doing, I seriously hope they don't go down this route.

*Anal Spell wanders off grumbling about fakery and whatnot*

allinuse · 18-12-2004, 20:08

Hello Spell!

Is it really Il Divo - no wonder they didn't know who I was talking about when I asked in the shop for 'El'

Drat, I suppose that means I'll have to re-reserve my order for P4 as well...

Spellbound · 18-12-2004, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by baileybots

it has been mostly sung in italian because simon said he wanted to bring opera to people who would have not previously listened to it and he is more proud of this album than any other.., thats what part of the biography said on the classical channel

See, that I don't understand. Bring opera to the people by putting English songs in Italian? That doesn't make sense, nor does it make it 'opera'. Singing the songs in their original language will not make the album any 'less operatic'. You don't see opera companies putting the works of, for example, Britten in Italian to make it 'more operatic'.

ENO say their aim is to 'bring opera to the people', and they achieve this by taking Italian, French, German etc librettos and translating them to English, so the audience can understand the plots etc without having to refer to subtitles. I can see how this makes opera more accessible.

Even when the Three Tenors, or Lesley Garrett perform 'pop' songs, they stick to the original language. Maybe I would prefer Il Divo if they did, too.

pennycandle · 18-12-2004, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spellbound

See, that I don't understand. Bring opera to the people by putting English songs in Italian? That doesn't make sense, nor does it make it 'opera'. Singing the songs in their original language will not make the album any 'less operatic'. You don't see opera companies putting the works of, for example, Britten in Italian to make it 'more operatic'.

ENO say their aim is to 'bring opera to the people', and they achieve this by taking Italian, French, German etc librettos and translating them to English, so the audience can understand the plots etc without having to refer to subtitles. I can see how this makes opera more accessible.

Even when the Three Tenors, or Lesley Garrett perform 'pop' songs, they stick to the original language. Maybe I would prefer Il Divo if they did, too.

........As we say in Yorkshire......ee by gum lass......tha`knows what tha`s talking about

Spellbound · 18-12-2004, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennycandle

........As we say in Yorkshire......ee by gum lass......tha`knows what tha`s talking about

Wha arta bletherin abaht?

pennycandle · 18-12-2004, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spellbound

Wha arta bletherin abaht?

.....nowt lass

lulu g · 18-12-2004, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennycandle

... I shall reserve making my personal comments until later

(but what I would say for now is why when the original is sung in English do Il Divo have to sing in Italian (I`m sure Il Divo fans will set me straight)

...

Actually, it was adapted by Paul Anka from a French ballad.

Clarat · 18-12-2004, 21:16

Although I've liked other Il Divo performances I thought that one was boring, I actually switched over towards the end. The G4 one was much better IMO.

thms · 18-12-2004, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spellbound

As for the 'why sing in Italian', I might be wrong, but I could have sworn Il Divo were in fact singing in Spanish

mind you, I confess I wasn't paying that much attention!

i thought they were singing in spanish

Spellbound · 18-12-2004, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by thms

i thought they were singing in spanish

Oh good. I'm not totally daft then!

rosehip · 18-12-2004, 21:29

Il Divo in Italian (sorry, I haven't mastered Quotes yet) - pretentious. Just in case anyone hadn't realised they're meant to be opera singers. G4 look as if they're having fun instead of projecting an image. OK, it's not either/or but Il Divo to me fall between two stools, not opera and not popular music either.

rosehip · 18-12-2004, 21:31

... and I can speak Yorkshire too....

18-12-2004, 19:11	#1
pennycandle Banned User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 5,111	My Way - G4 v Il Divo In similar vein to the immensely popular O Holy Night Thread (!!).......for anyone who are watching the Westlife Special on ITV1 and has just watched Il Divo`s version of My Way (in Italian), please feel free to debate on whose version you prefer........Il Divo`s or G4`s. I shall reserve making my personal comments until later (but what I would say for now is why when the original is sung in English do Il Divo have to sing in Italian (I`m sure Il Divo fans will set me straight) P:S......rock on Kevin Spacey

18-12-2004, 19:12	#2
The Mist Banned User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 114	runs away screaming

18-12-2004, 19:16	#4
threecheeses Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Left London Services: Freeserve then Wanadoo then Orange what next? Posts: 10,938	1st time i've seen them sing live and was not impressed (uses the word live loosley) G4 gave me tingles this left me cold the other one they do unbreak my heart? or something I like that one

18-12-2004, 19:16	#5
allinuse Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,721	Penny, does it have to be G4 V El Divo? I'm sort of hoping G4 find their own niche without having constant comparisons made. I like El Divo and I like G4. I don't like My Way...by anyone!

18-12-2004, 19:58	#11
Spellbound Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,785	Agree that the two versions cannot be compared. Il Divo's version is four voices taking a solo line each, with the odd occasion when a voice harmonises with another a third up. For me, the most spectacular thing about the song was not the voices, but the accompaniment - strings with the voices, building up to a climax with crashing cymbols etc. G4's version was entirely different, focusing on close, 4 part harmony throughout. Beginning acapella, it was the voices alone that 'crescendoed' to the climax, the backing track didn't even feature until the solo voices had been through a key change. G4's version was undoubtedly more complex and 'clever', and appeals far more to me. As for the 'why sing in Italian', I might be wrong, but I could have sworn Il Divo were in fact singing in Spanish mind you, I confess I wasn't paying that much attention!

18-12-2004, 20:08	#15
allinuse Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,721	Hello Spell! Is it really Il Divo - no wonder they didn't know who I was talking about when I asked in the shop for 'El' Drat, I suppose that means I'll have to re-reserve my order for P4 as well...

18-12-2004, 21:16	#21
Clarat Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: St Albans Services: Humax PVR, Virgin 4 for £40 V+ Posts: 4,311	Although I've liked other Il Divo performances I thought that one was boring, I actually switched over towards the end. The G4 one was much better IMO.

18-12-2004, 21:29	#24
rosehip Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 255	Il Divo in Italian (sorry, I haven't mastered Quotes yet) - pretentious. Just in case anyone hadn't realised they're meant to be opera singers. G4 look as if they're having fun instead of projecting an image. OK, it's not either/or but Il Divo to me fall between two stools, not opera and not popular music either.

18-12-2004, 21:31	#25
rosehip Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 255	... and I can speak Yorkshire too....