Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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2011 Best Group

Best Group: Il Volo

Editor says: Although Il Volo has been around in Italy for quite some time, 2011 was the year they took to the world stage.  They were a hit when they guested on American Idol, causing their debut international album to sell like hotcakes.  Their success can easily be attributed not only to their easy charm but to their incredible vocals which were able to make even the most tired standard, O Sole Mio, sound vibrant and interesting.  They've had a fantastic year, and their album is a fine testament as to why.

Runner Up Nominees

The trio could have easily have gone down the usual vocal group route with too typical a repertoire but their debut album proved to be rather surprising.  With only two standards, After Daybreak is a beautifully produced independent album providing us with original songs and unexpected covers and adaptations.  They have a distinctive sound whilst having the best aspects in common with The Canadian Tenors.

Bond's last full length album was released in 2004 and many believed the girls had put away their electric violins for good, but 2011 was a happy year for many string quartet fans as Bond released their much anticipated new album Play, albeit only in Mexico.  They may have been absent, but Bond's influence on the genre has remained consistently strong.  Many have tried to replace them only to fail as none have the vision or the creativity that Bond simply ooze.

It's been a few years since they released The Promise, but Il Divo are back with a bang, swiping the special achievement award at the Classic Brits and releasing their new album Wicked Game which is making a dent in pop charts everywhere.  They've done much to change the marketing dynamics of classical crossover and most definitely for the better.  All four lads have top notch vocals and their mass appeal show no signs of tiring.

Libera has been giving us angelic albums since the eighties (under a different name, but the same choir, nonetheless).  Robert Prizeman, the choir's founder, director, producer and songwriter has consistently treated us with not only beautiful interpretations of classics and pop, but also with original material.  2011 has seen the choir of trebles travel the US and release their first Christmas album in over a decade.

Notation
The winner of this award was determined by the Editor of Classical-Crossover.co.uk.