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All Music Guide:
Vittorio Grigolo exemplifies the qualities of the crossover genre that exists between classical music and the pop world. He has the lifestyle and fashion sense of Robbie Williams but sings with a voice like Luciano Pavarotti -- in fact, the Italian press dubbed him Il Pavarotinno, the little Pavarotti, after he performed with the great tenor as a child.
Grigolo was born in Arezzo and, while still young, moved to Rome, where his talents were noticed at an early age. When he was nine years old he accompanied his mother to have her eyes tested and, hearing someone singing from another room, he spontaneously began his own rendition of "Ave Maria." The singer, the optician's father, was so impressed that he insisted Grigolo have an audition for the Sistine Chapel Choir as soon as possible.
The young tenor joined the choir and became a soloist. At age 13 he played the Pastorello in a performance of Tosca at Rome's opera house, where he shared the stage with Pavarotti. By 18 he was singing with the Vienna Opera Company and, at 23, he was the youngest man to perform in Milan's La Scala. He was also the first Italian man to be excused from compulsory military service for fear of interrupting his career.
Grigolo sang in performances of the Barber of Seville, La Traviata, Così Fan Tutte, Faust, and many others before taking a life-changing role as Tony in West Side Story. Sharing the stage with James Gandolfini, he saw the potential of opera to reach a wider audience. After almost becoming a member of Il Divo, abandoned after clashes with Simon Cowell, he recorded a solo album, In the Hands of Love, in the genre he calls "popera." It features the song "Maria" from West Side Story as well as pop songs like "All in Love Is Fair" and "Bedshaped." The Classical Advisory Panel of England kept the album out of the classical charts, defining it as precisely 35.7 percent classical (a minimum of 60 percent is required for entry in the classical charts). In the Hands of Love debuted in the Top Ten of the U.K. pop charts instead.
Wikipedia:
Vittorio Grigolo (b. February 19, 1977, Arezzo, Italy) is an Italian singer.
Grigolo was born in Arezzo, but raised in Rome. He began singing by the age of four. When he was nine years old he accompanied his mother to have her eyes tested and, hearing someone singing from another room, he spontaneously began his own rendition of "Ave Maria." The singer, the optician's father, was so impressed that he insisted Grigolo have an audition for the Sistine Chapel Choir as soon as possible. Young Vittorio was chosen to become part of Sistine Chapel Choir as a soloist. He then studied for five years at the Schola Puerorum at the Sistine Chapel.
Opera and musicals performances
At age 13 he played the Pastorello in a performance of Tosca at Rome's opera house, where he shared the stage with Pavarotti; becoming known as 'Il Pavarottino'. When 18, Vittorio joined the Vienna Opera Company. He became the youngest man to perform in Milan's La Scala at age 23. He is the first Italian male to be excused compulsory military service on account of his promising career. He also raced Pre-3000 Formula cars for a while until an accident limited his opportunities in this field.
Grigolo sang in performances of The Barber of Seville, La traviata, Così fan tutte, Faust, and many others before taking the role of Tony in West Side Story alongside James Gandolfini.
First albums
In 2006, Grigolo recorded a solo album, In the Hands of Love, in the pop/opera genre he calls "Popera". The album debuted in the Top Ten of the U.K. pop charts, entering at number 6. The album contains renditions of Keane's "Bedshaped", "Maria" from West Side Story, Stevie Wonder's "All in Love Is Fair", and a duet with Katherine Jenkins titled "You Are My Miracle". The US version of the album was titled simply Vittorio. The US version of the duet "You Are My Miracle" features Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls.
In 2007, Grigolo and Hayley Westenra, as Tony and Maria, recorded West Side Story in conjunction with the Leonard Bernstein Foundation, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the musical. West Side Story entered the UK Classic FM Chart at number 1.
Grigolo released his second studio album, "The Italian Tenor", in 2010. It was rated by David Mellor as among the best opera recordings of 2010 in Classic FM.
Live appearances
In April 2006 Grigolo made his debut with a concert held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, he returned to the RAH to appear alongside such singers as Plácido Domingo and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, at the 'Classical Brit Awards' evening, performing arias taken from his repertoire.In July 2006 Grigolo performed "Bedshaped" at the Miss Universe 2006 evening gown competition in the Los Angeles, USA.In September 2006 Grigolo appeared alongside Lionel Richie at 'Proms in the Park' London, England.In September 2006 Grigolo performed at the Macy's Passport fashion and charity events in the US, where he was the only musical entertainment, performing in front of a combined audience of 10,000.Also in September 2006 Grigolo appeared on the US television series Dancing with the Stars.Vittorio will start a promotional tour of Australia in October 2006.On October 16, 2006, Grigolo appeared in ABC's reality TV series The Bachelor.On November 14, 2006, Grigolo appeared on Dancing with the Stars in Australia.October 2007 Grigolo performed "Nessun Dorma" at the NIAF 32nd Gala Dinner, Washington, D.C., in tribute to Luciano Pavarotti.Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. Grigolo is appearing as Dr. Faust in Gounod's Faust. September 18 2011. [Grigolo had an accident and was knocked out during the final act in the final dress rehearsal.]DVD
Dreams of RomeRecorded at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, Italy. A live performance of tracks from his album, as well as a few additional pieces. The DVD was recorded specifically for the Great Performances series on PBS TV USA.
Grigolo plays Cassio in Giuseppe Verdi Otello recorded at Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona 2006
