EVERETT — Il Divo, the four hunky guys who look as good as they sing, opened the Comcast Arena in Everett on Tuesday night with a killer version of “Somewhere.”
It’s a song some ordinary artists leave for the closing number. But these guys aren’t ordinary. They play out of the box.
Truly, it’s difficult to categorize Il Divo, who sound operatic but don’t do opera.
Il Divo combines comely good looks and tailored Armani suits with a unique ability to sing pop songs in an operatic style, producing a new musical genre that’s been coined “popera.”
That has translated to a brilliant success for Il Divo, which translates loosely to “the divine.” That success sustained them Tuesday night with songs that brought the audience to their feet when they weren’t swooning in their seats.
These “Jonas Brothers for moms” as they’ve been called began the show with a slow stroll down the double-sided catwalk to an enthusiastic crowd and when the sole American of the group, tenor David Miller unleashed his lung power, the crowd let loose.
Il Divo’s chart-topping success has been fueled with an exotic sizzle, a melting pot group of model-lovely singers representing several cultures. Besides American-born Miller, there’s baritone Carlos Marin of Spain, pop singer Sebastien Izambard of France and tenor Urs Buhler of Switzerland.
The foursome had only to strut across stage to elicit squeals. But we didn’t pay for just the catwalk, and these guys knew that.
They delivered “Unbreak My Heart” and then “La Promesa,” the title from their new album, “The Promise,” and the reason for their world tour.
Then came “Angelina,” also from “The Promise” as the four singers sung to a swelling crowd.
As promised the men shook hands with admirers while swaying in the stage’s center circle and belting it out. These guys can multi-task on a major scale.
A treat for the crowd was a song not recorded on any of their albums: “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” with the stage an azure glow.
There was an unfortunate break in the singing for a wardrobe change. Then Marin teased the crowd by asking if they missed him. They answered with hoots and hollers.
The four then performed a beautiful anthem to mommies called “Mom,” and proceeded to embarrass the Moody Blues a bit with a haunting “Nights in White Satin.”
For Act Two, Il Divo walloped “Without You” out of the arena, melted hearts with “Every Time I Look at You,” sang “Hallelujah,” and wrapped up with “My Way.”
It is their way. It’s different. It’s dynamic. And yes, a little dreamy.
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