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Amazon.co.uk Review
Somewhat confusingly The Opera Band is not the name of the artists, but the title of the debut by Amici Forever, five young singers who present themselves like a boy/girl pop group and offer 15 tracks (including two remixes) of rearranged opera and other popular tunes. The tracks vary between purely acoustic and some that include understated ambient electronics, all being reworked to provide parts for the voices of the classically trained Jo Appleby (soprano), Nick Garrett (bass), David Habbin (tenor), Geoff Swell (tenor) and Tsakane Valentine (soprano). The cuts range from Thomas Otten to Helmut Lotti type arrangements, the vocal sound evoking a collaboration between Filippa Giordano and the Three Tenors. Indeed, there's a version of "Nessun Dorma" that won't disappoint fans of this most rousing of melodies, and virtually all of the other tracks will strike an immediate chord. "Whisper of Angels" reworks Fauré's gorgeous instrumental Pavane with harmony voices, Celtic flute and electronics, making an interesting contrast with Regina Carter's recent jazz-orchestral version on Paganini: After a Dream. Handel's "Sarabande" is presented as a light dance anthem while other cuts range from Alex North's hit song "Unchained Melody" to Michael Kamen's theme from Band of Brothers, now transformed into an impassioned vocal tribute to the fallen of WWII. From the Latin of "Canto Alla Vita", edging into Bond territory, to a lavish traditional version of "Come All Ye Faithful", Amici Forever look set to have one of the most successful crossover releases of the year. --Gary S Dalkin

5 Reviews 5 star:  (2) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review (5 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   22 of 22 people found the following review helpful: Very Easy Listening, 22 Sep 2004 By  "chaaku" - See all my reviews Amici are a classical crossover group made up of five classically trained singers from Britain, South Africa, and New Zealand. They perform often unique arrangements of classical, opera and easy listening songs in a wonderful blend of harmonies.The tracks are sung in different languages as befits the music. My particular favourite is a vocal version of Faure's Requiem (Whisper of Angels) which is particularly moving and a great version of Unchained Melody in Italian. No doubt the classical and opera purists willl turn there noses up at this album and the concept. Otherwise it will be enjoyed by people with a variety of musical tastes. My only gripe would be the inclusion of reprises of two tracks which makes you feel a little cheated.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   9 of 10 people found the following review helpful: Popular Classic, 23 Oct 2004 By  Albert E Grant (Sheerness, Kent United Kingdom) - See all my reviews This is a superb collection of popular classical songs. The voices are simply amazing with that special quality that ensures first class listening. Even non classical fans will be enthralled with this CD.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Good tunes, sung well, 26 Aug 2006 By  N. D. Jervis (Germany) - See all my reviews    Take 5 great voices and give them a series of good classical pieces to perform and you get an interesting and enjoyable album. I became aware of the group after seeing them perform Nimrod during a Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance a couple of years ago, this piece is on the CD and that was enough for me to buy it. I recognise that some will not like all the versions on the CD, and cover versions of favourite arrangements can annoy at times. (Some even did not like Rolf Harris' version of Stairway to Heaven). If you are like me and enjoy the tunes played on Classic FM but can not be bothered with the whole performance, then this CD may be for you. Good tunes sung well.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this) › See all 5 customer reviews...		Most Recent Customer Reviews This was agony to listen to..... On the whole I have read really positive reviews about this CD, so maybe it is just me, but I thought that it was terrible. Read more Published on 6 Mar 2006 by N Weller Amici Well pleased Published on 25 May 2005 by MR M E LEE Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 5 customer reviews...